Bangladesh A head coach Mizanur Rahman Babul believes Towhid Hridoy is ready to establish himself in Bangladesh’s Test side after his record-breaking first-class innings in South Africa.
Hridoy struck an unbeaten 350 against South Africa A in the second four-day match in Potchefstroom in 2026. The innings helped Bangladesh A respond strongly after a heavy defeat in the opening match and secure a draw.
Babul believes the innings showed that Hridoy can compete for a long-term place in Bangladesh’s Test batting line-up.
“BCB already wants Towhid Hridoy there. A lot of our senior players are no longer in the team, so someone has to take those places,” Babul said.
“I think Towhid Hridoy is already ready for the national team, and by national team I mean the Test version.”
Hridoy’s innings was also significant because of his familiarity with Potchefstroom. He was part of the Bangladesh Under-19 side that won the ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa in 2020.
Babul felt that experience helped Hridoy, but was particularly impressed by the batter’s concentration, fitness and hunger during the marathon innings.
“Hridoy became a world champion at that same ground, so he had a familiarity and connection with the venue,” Babul said.
“He knew the ground and the wicket. But what stood out was his batting intent from start to finish. He batted for three days and so many sessions, yet even towards the end his fitness, running between the wickets and hunger were still there throughout the innings.”
Babul said the performance had strengthened Hridoy’s case for one of the positions Bangladesh are looking to fill in their Test batting order.
“I think Hridoy has shown that he is a contender for one of the positions we have been looking to fill in the near future,” he said.
The coach was also encouraged by Bangladesh A’s improvement over the course of the South Africa tour.
“The boys gradually improved from the first match, and that is what pleased me most,” Babul said.
He also praised mystery spinner Aliss Al Islam for his brilliant performance in the tour. He picked up three wickets in the third unofficial ODI against South Africa A.
“Aliss is unorthodox, and there is a lot of demand for unorthodox players in modern cricket,” Babul said. “We need to take greater care of him and identify where he fits best. If we use him accordingly, I think he can help the team get better results.”
