Bangladesh youngster Towhid Hridoy has created a sensation in first-class cricket. Playing against South Africa ‘A’ in an unofficial Test at Potchefstroom, Hridoy remained unbeaten on a stunning 350 runs.He faced 481 deliveries and smashed 27 fours and 10 sixes in a marathon innings that rewrote several records.
Coming in at 37/2, Hridoy took the attack apart and went on to register the highest individual first-class score by a Bangladeshi batter, surpassing Tamim Iqbal’s previous record of 334*.
Hridoy also broke a 13-year-old record held by Cheteshwar Pujara. In 2013, Pujara scored 306 for India ‘A’ against West Indies ‘A’. Hridoy’s 350* has now become the highest individual score by a batter representing an ‘A’ team.
His knock also made him the first batter to score a triple century for an ‘A’ team in an unofficial match played away from home.
The Bangladesh youngster further broke the record for the highest score by an overseas batter in a first-class match in South Africa. The previous mark was 300, scored by England legend Denis Compton for MCC in 1948.
Powered by Hridoy’s historic innings, Bangladesh ‘A’ declared their first innings at 676/8. Jaker Ali scored 94, while Mohammad Saifuddin contributed 87. South Africa ‘A’ had earlier posted 512.
With Bangladesh set to face South Africa in a two-Test series in November, this unofficial Test is being viewed as an important preparation opportunity.
