Bangladesh batsman Tawhid Hridoy makes history with 350 not out in South Africa

Bangladesh batsman Tawhid Hridoy created history by making 350 not out for Bangladesh A against South Africa A in a four-day match in Potchefstroom, South Africa. The batter now holds the highest individual score by a Bangladeshi player in first-class cricket, surpassing current Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief Tamim Iqbal’s not out, which he scored back in 2020 in Dhaka during a Bangladesh Cricket League match. Hridoy’s score of 350 is also the highest score achieved by a South African overseas player in first-class cricket.

Hridoy, who had played just 17 first-class matches before the match against South Africa A, was largely considered a limited-overs bowler, but he has now done enough to change that reputation. He faced an unbeaten 481 for his unbeaten 350, which included 27 fours and 10 sixes, as Bangladesh A posted 676/8 before declaring against SA A 512 in the first innings. The match ended in a goalless draw after SA A scored 18/0 in the second half.

Hridoy, with his 350, also crossed the 1,000-run mark in first-class cricket. He now has 1345 runs in 26 innings across 18 matches at an average of 56, with four fifty and four hundreds.

“I made my first-class debut for my hometown Bogura. Today, I scored two goals at the same ground where we won the World Cup in 2020. I thank God Almighty,” Hridoy said, in a chat after his double century.

It is the same ground where Bangladesh won the U-19 World Cup in 2020.

Hridoy is also the third Bangladeshi batsman to score a triple century, after Tamim (334 not out in 2020) and Raqibul Hasan (313 not out in 2007).

Tamim, who now leads Bangladesh cricket as BCB president, was happy after breaking his record and he wrote on Facebook (Translated from Bengali): “To score 350 runs – regardless of place, level or context is a remarkable achievement. If this innings happens in South Africa, it should be described as extraordinary. They say records are meant to be broken. I am delighted that the record has been surpassed. Congratulations to Tauheed Hridoy for making history. Becoming the first batsman from the country to reach the 350-run mark is not just a personal achievement; it is also a symbol of cricket’s progress in the country.”