3 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Bangladesh batter Towhid Hridoy has reignited hopes of a return to the Test team after producing a historic unbeaten 350 for Bangladesh A against South Africa A in Potchefstroom.
Hridoy’s marathon innings rewrote Bangladesh’s first-class batting record and strengthened the case for another opportunity in red-ball cricket, despite the batter remaining cautious about his Test prospects.
Hridoy Breaks Tamim Iqbal’s Record
Hridoy scored 350 not out from 481 balls, hitting 27 fours and 10 sixes before Bangladesh A declared their first innings at 676/8.
His score surpassed Tamim Iqbal’s unbeaten 334, which had been Bangladesh’s highest individual first-class score since 2020. Raqibul Hasan’s unbeaten 313 had previously held the record before Tamim broke it.
First Bangladeshi to Score 350 in First-Class Cricket
The achievement puts Hridoy in a unique place in Bangladesh cricket history.
He became the first Bangladeshi batter to score 350 in first-class cricket and the first from the country to make a first-class triple century outside Bangladesh. He is only the third Bangladeshi batter to score a triple hundred in first-class cricket.
His 350 is also the highest first-class score by an overseas batter in South Africa. Only South Africa’s Stephen Cook, with 390, has previously scored at least 350 in a first-class innings in the country.
A Marathon Knock in Potchefstroom
Hridoy resumed the final day on 204 not out and continued batting deep into the fourth day.
He eventually reached 350 before Bangladesh A declared, leaving him unbeaten and giving the visiting side a first-innings lead of 164 runs after South Africa A had made 512.
The match ended in a draw after South Africa A reached 18/0 following Bangladesh’s declaration.
Why the Innings Matters for Hridoy’s Test Future
The knock has naturally brought Hridoy’s Test credentials back into the conversation.
The right-hander has played only one Test for Bangladesh, having made his debut in the longest format after establishing himself as a white-ball batter. His Test opportunity was brief, and he was subsequently left out of the setup.
The 350 now gives selectors a substantial red-ball performance to consider when assessing his future.
Hridoy Remains Cautious
Despite the historic achievement, Hridoy has not demanded a Test recall.
He said his selection is ultimately the decision of the selectors and that, as a professional player, his job is to perform whenever he receives an opportunity.
His comments underline the uncertainty surrounding his red-ball future even after one of the biggest first-class innings in Bangladesh cricket history.
Experience at the Venue Adds to the Story
Potchefstroom is a special venue for Hridoy.
He helped Bangladesh win the ICC Under-19 World Cup in 2020 at the same venue, and six-and-a-half years later returned to produce the biggest first-class score by a Bangladeshi batter.
The venue has therefore now witnessed two major milestones in his career.
From White-Ball Star to Red-Ball Contender
Hridoy has established himself primarily as a white-ball batter, but the 350 demonstrates his capacity for patience and concentration over a prolonged first-class innings.
He faced 481 deliveries, combining controlled accumulation with aggressive strokeplay to remain at the crease for a substantial portion of Bangladesh A’s innings.
That balance could strengthen his argument for another chance in Test cricket.
Bangladesh Selectors Face a Decision
Hridoy’s innings comes at a time when Bangladesh are planning their next phase in Test cricket.
The selectors must decide whether his first-class dominance warrants another opportunity in the national Test side or whether they continue to view him primarily through the white-ball lens.
A single innings cannot guarantee selection, but a score of 350 is difficult to overlook.
Tamim Congratulates Hridoy
Former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal, whose record Hridoy broke, congratulated the batter.
Tamim described scoring 350 in South Africa as an extraordinary achievement and welcomed the breaking of his long-standing record. He said Hridoy’s feat represented not only a personal milestone but also progress for Bangladesh cricket.
A Record That Could Change His Career
Hridoy’s 350 has transformed what was supposed to be an A-team assignment into an important audition for the national side.
The batter may still have to wait for another Test opportunity, but his performance has ensured that the selectors will have to seriously consider his red-ball potential.
For now, the record stands as one of the most significant individual batting achievements in Bangladesh’s first-class history.