How a Record-Shattering 350 Rewrote Bangladesh Cricket History

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-09-03

You know how some sporting moments just stop you in your tracks? Towhid Hridoy just created one of those moments, and it wasn't even on a main stage. For Bangladesh A against South Africa A, he did something that hadn't been done before. He batted, and batted, and batted some more, finally finishing not out on 350. That's not just a big score—that's a mountain of runs that rewrote the record books. And the location made it even sweeter. He reached the milestone in Potchefstroom. If that rings a bell, it's probably because it's the exact same ground where Bangladesh's young stars lifted the Under-19 World Cup trophy back in 2020. Talk about a place with good memories. ### A Legend's Record Falls For years, Tamim Iqbal's 334* was the pinnacle for Bangladeshi batters in first-class cricket. It was a mark that seemed to stand as a towering challenge. Then, in the post-tea session on day four, Hridoy gently nudged a ball into the gap and sprinted through. Just like that, the record was his. He didn't just break it; he smashed right through it. Think about that company for a second. By passing 300, Hridoy joined an incredibly exclusive club. Only two other Bangladeshis had ever done it: Tamim himself and Raqibul Hasan, who scored 313* way back in 2007. Hridoy's innings wasn't just personal glory; it was a historic entry into an elite group. - He faced a staggering 481 deliveries. That's over 80 overs at the crease. - His innings included 27 fours and 10 sixes. - Most importantly, it was the first-ever triple century scored by a Bangladeshi batter *outside* of Bangladesh. ### Making History on Foreign Soil That last point is a huge deal. Scoring runs at home is one thing. Doing it on the road, against a strong South African A attack, on their pitches? That's a whole different level of difficulty. He became only the second overseas player to ever score a triple century in South African first-class cricket. The last guy to do it was Dennis Compton... in 1948. Let that sink in. Hridoy's 350* now sits as the second-highest individual score ever in South African first-class history. The only man ahead of him is Stephen Cook with 390. In the process, Hridoy passed Daryll Cullinan's legendary 337*, a record that had stood untouched since 1993. He didn't just set a Bangladeshi record; he carved his name into South African cricket lore. ### It Wasn't a One-Man Show Here's the thing we sometimes forget about these massive individual scores: cricket is a team sport. Hridoy didn't do this in a vacuum. He built partnerships that allowed the innings to flourish. He added 151 runs with Jaker Ali, who scored a vital 94. Then, he put on another 185 with Mohammad Saifuddin, who contributed 87. Even the tailenders chipped in. Rejaur Rahman Raja, coming in at number 10, faced 110 balls for his 31 not out, providing crucial support and allowing Hridoy to keep going. The team effort resulted in Bangladesh A declaring at 676 for 8—their highest total ever in this format. It was a collective achievement built around one monumental individual performance. ### The Reaction from the Man Whose Record Fell So, what does Tamim Iqbal think about his record being broken? The man, who now serves as President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board, took to social media right after. His reaction says everything about the spirit of the game. > "Records exist to be broken," Tamim wrote. "I'm actually happy my record is broken. Scoring 350 in any format carries weight, and doing it in South Africa makes it even more significant." He called it a personal milestone for Hridoy and, importantly, a sign of progress for Bangladesh cricket as a whole. When a legend celebrates his own record being broken, you know it's a special moment for the sport. ### Why This Innings Means More Than Just Numbers Hridoy himself spoke about the deeper meaning. He talked about making his first-class debut in his hometown of Bogura. He reflected on reaching his double century on day three at this specific ground—a place already sacred for Bangladeshi cricket fans after that U19 World Cup win. For him, it was a full-circle moment, connecting his personal journey to his nation's cricketing pride. In the end, this innings wasn't just about 350 runs. It was about a young batter stepping up, making history far from home, and etching his name next to the greats. It showed resilience, skill, and a mental fortitude that marks true champions. It's a story that goes beyond the scoreboard, reminding us why we love this game—for those rare, breathtaking moments when an individual performance lifts an entire sport.