Towhid Hridoy breaks Bangladesh’s all-time individual Test scoring record

Towhid Hridoy breaks Bangladesh’s all-time individual Test scoring record

Towhid Hridoy’s Unbeaten Double Century Sparks Bangladesh Fightback Against West Indies

Towhid Hridoy produced a remarkable innings to keep Bangladesh alive in the second and final Test against the West Indies, reaching an unbeaten double century in only his third appearance in the format. The 24-year-old’s composed yet attacking performance transformed a difficult position into a stirring fightback on Day 3 in Sylhet, giving the hosts fresh hope of closing the gap in the first innings.

Bangladesh began Saturday at 88 for 3, still 268 runs behind the West Indies, and faced further uncertainty after opener Shadman Islam was ruled out following an injury sustained while fielding. With the visitors’ fast bowlers having already unsettled the top order, the hosts needed a substantial innings from someone in the middle. Hridoy supplied it—and then kept going.

A landmark double century in just his third Test

Hridoy reached 200 from 304 balls on the first delivery of the 100th over. Facing left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican, he pushed a full ball towards long-on and took a single, bringing up the milestone. He removed his helmet and roared in celebration as his teammates applauded from the Bangladesh dressing room.

The innings placed Hridoy among an exclusive group in Bangladesh cricket. He became only the fourth batter from the country to score a Test double century, joining Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. Mushfiqur has achieved the feat three times, while Tamim and Shakib have each recorded one double hundred.

Hridoy also became the 46th player in Test history to turn a maiden Test century into a double century. His score surpassed the previous record for a Bangladesh batter against the West Indies and at the Sylhet venue. By moving beyond 219, he also set a new benchmark for the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batter in Test cricket.

The achievement was more than a personal milestone. At a point when Bangladesh had lost wickets steadily and were playing without their regular opener, Hridoy’s ability to manage the innings gave the lower order time to settle. His landmark also changed the match’s immediate outlook, turning a one-sided deficit into a contest that remained alive.

Hridoy and Taijul build a crucial eighth-wicket partnership

The most important support came from Taijul Islam. Bangladesh were 184 for 7 when Taijul joined Hridoy, a position made more precarious by Shadman’s absence. The pair responded with a 117-run stand for the eighth wicket—the second-highest partnership for that wicket in Bangladesh’s Test history.

Taijul’s contribution was modest on the scoreboard but valuable in context. He scored 22 from 56 deliveries and occupied the crease for nearly two hours and 20 minutes, allowing Hridoy to continue building his innings. Their partnership carried Bangladesh to 318 for 8 by tea, cutting the first-innings deficit to 38 runs.

Bangladesh added 113 runs for the loss of just one wicket during the second session, even as the West Indies took the second new ball. That resilience was a sharp contrast to the pressure the hosts had faced earlier in the day. Warrican eventually broke the stand when Taijul missed his ground and was stumped, leaving Bangladesh at 301 for 8.

How Hridoy turned a promising start into a historic innings

Hridoy resumed on 29 and moved through the early stages with increasing confidence. A boundary off Bishop brought up his maiden Test fifty. He then attacked Roston Chase, striking a six and two fours as he approached three figures.

A boundary off Jayden Seales took him to 99, and he completed his first Test century with a single off Chase shortly before lunch. Hridoy scored 71 runs from 91 balls in the morning session, combining measured defence with well-timed aggression. Later, a four off Shamar Joseph carried him to 150.

That balance proved essential. Rather than allowing the West Indies bowlers to dictate the tempo, Hridoy selected opportunities to score while protecting his wicket. His innings became the foundation of Bangladesh’s recovery, with each milestone increasing the pressure on a bowling attack that had started the day in a commanding position.

Warrican keeps West Indies in the contest

Despite Hridoy’s dominance, the West Indies continued to create openings. Warrican was the most effective bowler during Bangladesh’s morning recovery, dismissing Mushfiqur Rahim and Litton Das before later adding Hasan Mahmud to his tally.

Mushfiqur, who resumed on 19, had struck boundaries against Warrican and Shamar Joseph before falling for 34. Litton also began positively, finding the boundary against Bishop and Warrican, but departed for eight after chipping a delivery from Warrican to King at cover.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz then added 41 runs with Hridoy before being dismissed for 16. Warrican claimed his third wicket when Hasan Mahmud was trapped leg-before for one, with the decision confirmed after a successful review. Bangladesh scored 117 runs in the morning session at a rate above four an over, but the loss of four wickets prevented the hosts from taking full advantage.

The damage had begun on the second day. Naeem Hasan, brought in to open in place of the injured Shadman, made five. Tanzid Hasan Tamim scored 16 before Kevin Wickham took a sharp catch, while captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was dismissed for 18. Those early setbacks made Hridoy’s long innings and the lower-order partnership all the more significant.

What Hridoy’s innings means for the Test

Hridoy’s unbeaten double century has given Bangladesh a route back into the match, but the first-innings contest remains crucial. Every additional run could reduce the deficit, increase pressure on the West Indies and influence the visitors’ plans for their own second innings. The match prediction will depend on whether Bangladesh’s remaining batters can continue supporting Hridoy and how quickly the West Indies can finish the innings.

For Bangladesh, the performance offers more than a temporary lift in the score. Hridoy showed the patience required for Test cricket, the confidence to punish loose deliveries and the composure to carry responsibility while wickets fell around him. In only his third Test, he delivered an innings that rewrote national records and gave his side a genuine chance to compete.

The West Indies still have opportunities to regain control, particularly through Warrican and the pace attack. But Hridoy’s effort has ensured that the final stages of the innings—and the wider match—will be watched with renewed interest. His double century is already a defining moment of the Sylhet Test, and Bangladesh will now look to turn his individual achievement into a meaningful team advantage.

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