Towhid Hridoy Breaks Mushfiqur Rahim’s Bangladesh Test Record with Unbeaten 242 in Sylhet

Towhid Hridoy broke Mushfiqur Rahim’s national record for the highest individual score by a Bangladesh batter in Test cricket, slamming an unbeaten 242 against the West Indies at Sylhet. The marathon double-century on day three of the second Test surpassed Rahim’s previous benchmark of 219 not out against Zimbabwe, giving Bangladesh a 30-run first-innings lead.

Mushfiqur Rahim returned to Bangladesh’s playing XI for the Sylhet fixture after missing the series opener due to a practice finger injury. Following the third day’s play, Rahim publicly congratulated Hridoy on taking over the top spot in the country’s Test scoring records.

How Towhid Hridoy took down the 219 record in Sylhet

West Indies entered the second Test holding a 1-0 series lead after defeating Bangladesh by eight wickets in the opening match in Dhaka. West Indies captain won the toss in Sylhet and opted to bat first. The visiting side handed a Test debut to Wickham, while John Campbell and Tagenarine Chanderpaul were ruled out of the match due to viral fever. Bangladesh adjusted their side by recalling fast bowler Taskin Ahmed along with Rahim.

Bangladesh encountered trouble early in their first innings before Hridoy initiated a heavy counterattack. Hridoy explained his approach after the innings, stating that a batter cannot get out of a difficult spot without counterattacking. His unbeaten 242 wiped out the national record that had stood since Rahim’s double-ton in Dhaka. Looking ahead to the final innings of the match, Hridoy stated that Bangladesh can chase a target of 350 if the top order delivers a solid start.

The benchmark Rahim set at the Shere Bangla Stadium

Until Hridoy’s knock in Sylhet, Rahim held the record for the highest individual score by any Bangladesh player in Test cricket history. Rahim set that national milestone during an unbeaten 219 against Zimbabwe at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

During that match against Zimbabwe, Rahim batted through a record-filled marathon to establish total control for Bangladesh. By stumps on day two of that fixture, Bangladesh posted a massive first-innings total and reduced Zimbabwe to 25 for 1. For instance, while Rahim built his 219 not out by systematically grinding down Zimbabwe’s bowling attack over multiple sessions in Dhaka, Hridoy surpassed that mark by launching aggressive lofted shots under pressure against West Indies’ pace attack in Sylhet. Hridoy added 23 runs to the ceiling Rahim had established for Bangladeshi batters.

Injury recovery and Bangladesh’s 100-Test milestone

Rahim’s selection for the Sylhet match followed his recovery from a finger injury sustained during a team practice session. That injury prevented him from playing in the first Test in Dhaka, where Bangladesh’s middle order fell apart during an eight-wicket loss.

His return keeps him on track for an international milestone. Since Colin Cowdrey became the first cricketer to play 100 Test matches 57 years ago in 1968, only 83 players in Test history have reached that mark. Australia’s Mitchell Starc became the 83rd cricketer to enter the 100-Test club four months ago. Rahim is set to become the first player from Bangladesh to complete 100 Test appearances for his country.