'Winning close games gives belief, but not good for our hearts': Simmons quips

Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons quipped that while winning close games can boost any team's confidence, it is certainly not good for the hearts of the fans.

Bangladesh turned a modest 149-run chase into a thriller on Friday, losing three quick wickets at the death before eventually sealing a two-wicket win with five balls to spare in the second T20I against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The Tigers also clinched the three-match series 2-0 with that victory.

"When you keep winning close matches, you gain belief. But right now, it's not good for our hearts. Our hearts can't take this every time," Simmons said, referring to how the Tigers had also turned the first T20I into a thrilling contest.

On Thursday, despite a 109-run opening stand, Bangladesh lost six wickets in quick succession before eventually chasing down a 152-run target in 18.2 overs to secure a four-wicket win.

Simmons, however, hailed his side's disciplined bowling effort and the collective batting display the Tigers put on in the second game.

He said the team's bowling plan was simple but effective -- targeting the right areas and keeping things straight on the tricky Sharjah wicket.

"Our plan for the whole series was just to bowl in the right areas. On this wicket, you need to bowl straight, wicket to wicket, and our bowlers did exactly that. The spinners in particular bowled really well," the coach told reporters after the match.

Although both openers failed miserably while chasing 148 runs in the second game -- unlike the first match where they put up 109 runs -- the middle and lower-middle order stepped up under pressure.

Shamim Hossain (33) and Jaker Ali (32) both made valuable contributions, but it was Nurul Hasan Sohan once again who made an unbeaten 31 off 21 balls, while Shoriful Islam's late cameo of 11 off six balls helped Bangladesh complete the victory with five balls to spare.

"Yesterday [Thursday], the openers showed what they can do, and today [Friday] the lower middle order also showed their ability. We want to play exciting, attacking cricket -- and that's what we've been doing," Simmons said.

A key talking point was how Bangladesh tackled Afghanistan's renowned spin attack, widely regarded as their biggest weapon, and Simmons noted a marked improvement from the first game.

"We played their spinners well today. That's their strength, and at least today we handled it. Yesterday [Thursday] we couldn't do it effectively, but today [Friday] we were much better."

Simmons was pleased with the way different batters took responsibility in crunch moments.

"Jaker and Shamim started it off, and Sohan finished it for us. That's what we ask our batters to do -- whenever they get the chance, they must make sure to take responsibility," Simmons added.

The coach reserved particular praise for his bowling unit, which has shown steady progress in recent weeks.

"Our bowling has been consistently improving and now it has reached a stage where we know we can rely on it, no matter which combination we use," he said.

The third and final T20I will be played at the same venue on Sunday, offering the Tigers a chance to complete a clean sweep against Afghanistan.