The bigger story of Towhid Hridoy’s 2026 is how quickly his fortunes in red-ball cricket have changed. From a modest Test debut to a monumental unbeaten 350 against South Africa A, then a humbling experience in Mirpur and a record-breaking response in Sylhet, the right-hander has already experienced a remarkable range of emotions in his short red-ball career.
His gritty 82 on Monday, made sure Bangladesh did not slip on the last day of the Sylhet Test and ensured a draw against the West Indies. He was deservingly adjudged man of the match.
Things, however, were not all sanguine for the 25-year-old batter from the beginning. Hridoy made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in June, but it was hardly the start he would have hoped for. He managed just three and nine in his first outing in the longest format.
Three months later, he offered a glimpse of what he could do when he is in his groove. Playing against South Africa A in Potchefstroom in September, Hridoy produced a staggering 350*, an innings that put his ability to bat for long periods under the spotlight.
But the transition to Test cricket was not going to be straightforward.
His first Test against West Indies in Mirpur proved a difficult experience. Hridoy threw his wicket away with a reckless shot, inviting questions about his temperament and suitability for the red-ball format.
The criticism was particularly uncomfortable for a batter who had already shown his appetite for big scores in first-class cricket. There were questions about whether his natural attacking instincts could be tempered to meet the demands of Test cricket.
Sylhet, however, offered an emphatic response.
With Bangladesh struggling in the second and final Test against West Indies, Hridoy produced an unbeaten 242 in the first innings to take the hosts from 184/7 to 386 all-out. Bangladesh eventually secured a 30-run first-innings lead after West Indies had made 356.
With Shadman Islam unable to bat because of an ankle injury, Bangladesh were effectively eight wickets down when Hridoy began his rescue act. He found crucial support from Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed, adding 117 runs for the eighth wicket and another 85 for the ninth.
The double-century was historic in several ways. Hridoy became the fourth Bangladeshi to score a Test double-century, after Mushfiqur Rahim, Tamim Iqbal and Shakib Al Hasan. He was also the first to convert his maiden Test hundred into a double-century. His 242* became the highest individual Test score at the Sylhet venue.
But the real test of his temperament came in the second innings, when Bangladesh were chasing 369 to level the two-match series after West Indies declared their second innings on 398/6.
The hosts lost both openers in the first session on the fifth day. Tanzid Hasan fell for 21 and Najmul Hossain Shanto was dismissed just before lunch. With the pressure building, Hridoy and Mushfiqur Rahim took responsibility to keep Bangladesh in the contest.
Their contrasting approaches complemented each other. While Hridoy kept the scoreboard ticking, veteran Mushfiq was determined to dig in and make the West Indies bowlers work for every wicket. The pair added 113 runs in the second session before Hridoy was bowled by Jomel Warrican while attempting a sweep.
It ended a 135-run partnership with Mushfiqur. Warrican claimed his 100th Test wicket, 76 of them in Asia, before Shamar Joseph bowled Mushfiqur for 49, just short of a half-century.
Hridoy, finished with 324 (242 and 82) runs in the match, surpassing Mominul Haque’s previous Bangladesh record of 281 against Sri Lanka in 2018. He also became the first Bangladeshi to score a double-century and a fifty in the same Test, while Mushfiqur reached 7,000 Test runs.
Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto was particularly impressed by how Hridoy handled the pressure, especially given his limited experience in Test cricket.
“Scoring such a big hundred in only his third Test and batting so well with the lower order is something even many experienced cricketers struggle to do. I expect him to keep making these contributions whenever he gets an opportunity,” Shanto said at the post-match press conference.
Bangladesh finished on 184/4 when bad light ended the contest, securing their first home Test draw since 2022. West Indies took the series 1-0 after winning the Mirpur Test by eight wickets.
