Towhid Hridoy Smashes 350* to Break Bangladesh First-Class Batting Record

Towhid Hridoy produced a sensational unbeaten 350 for Bangladesh A against South Africa A in Potchefstroom, rewriting Bangladesh’s first-class batting record and etching his name into South African cricket history.

Hridoy’s remarkable innings on the fourth day of the unofficial Test saw him break several records, including the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batter in first-class cricket. He also became the highest-scoring overseas batter in first-class cricket in South Africa.

During the post-tea session, Hridoy surpassed former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal’s previous record of 334*, scored in a Bangladesh Cricket League match in Dhaka in 2020.

The 24-year-old became only the third Bangladesh batter to score a first-class triple-century, joining Tamim and Raqibul Hasan. Raqibul had scored an unbeaten 313 in a National Cricket League match in 2007.

Tamim, who is now the president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), congratulated Hridoy for breaking his record and described the achievement as a sign of the country’s progress in cricket.

“They say that records are made to be broken. I am very happy that my record has been broken,” Tamim wrote on Facebook. “It is great to be able to score 350 anywhere, at any level and in any context. If those runs are scored in South Africa, then it is definitely extraordinary. [This] is not only a personal achievement, but also a symbol of the progress of the country's cricket.”

Hridoy’s marathon knock came from 481 balls and included 27 fours and 10 sixes. He became the first Bangladesh batter to score a first-class triple-century outside the country.

His innings also placed him among the highest-scoring overseas batters in South African first-class cricket. Hridoy surpassed Daryll Cullinan’s unbeaten 337, scored in 1993, to move into second place for the highest individual first-class score in South Africa. Only Stephen Cook, who scored 390, remains ahead of him.

Hridoy is also only the second overseas batter to score a first-class triple-century in South Africa, following former England great Dennis Compton, who made 300 against North Eastern Transvaal in 1948.

Before Hridoy’s record-breaking innings, Shahriar Hossain had been the only Bangladesh A batter to score a double-century, achieving the feat in 2003.

Hridoy had already reached 200 on the third day and reflected on the significance of the milestone, having previously been part of Bangladesh’s Under-19 World Cup-winning team in 2020 at the same venue.

“I made my first-class debut in my hometown Bogura. Today, I scored a double-century in the same ground where we won the World Cup in 2020. I am thankful to the Almighty,” Hridoy wrote.

The record-breaking innings was supported by valuable contributions from Jaker Ali and Mohammad Saifuddin. Jaker scored 94, while Saifuddin made 87, with Hridoy sharing a 151-run partnership with Jaker for the fifth wicket and an even bigger 185-run stand with Saifuddin for the sixth.

Rejaur Rahman Raja also provided support from the lower order, remaining unbeaten on 31 from 110 balls as Hridoy carried his bat through the innings.

Bangladesh A eventually declared on 676 for 8, their highest-ever total in first-class cricket. South Africa A faced just 12 overs in their second innings and finished on 18 for no loss as the match ended in a draw.

Despite Hridoy’s historic individual performance, Bangladesh A lost the two-match unofficial Test series 1-0. South Africa A had secured victory in the opening match by an innings and 413 runs.