“Outstanding in Every Way”: Simmons Praises Hridoy’s Record-Breaking Double Century

Towhid Hridoy’s incredible unbeaten double century gave hosts Bangladesh an unexpected lead in the first innings of the second Test against the West Indies in Sylhet. The right-handed batsman’s record-breaking innings has left Bangladesh head coach Phil Simmons full of praise.

Hridoy’s unbeaten 242 was the highest individual score by any Bangladeshi batsman in Test cricket. He single-handedly changed the course of the match by pulling the team out of a slump.

“The innings was extraordinary in every way,” Simmons told reporters after the third day’s play. “Finally, it was an incredible innings. Even with the fielders on the boundary, he managed to hit fours and sixes. Even when he was getting tired near his double century, his effort and dedication were extraordinary.”

Hriday’s bat contributed 62.69 per cent of Bangladesh’s total runs. In the history of Test cricket, only seven innings have seen a batsman contribute more runs to a team’s total, with the all-time record held by Australia’s Charles Bannerman (67.34 per cent).

Opener Shadman Islam was ruled out with an ankle injury while fielding on the first day. Bangladesh were in dire straits after losing 7 wickets for 184 runs. It seemed that West Indies would easily take a big lead. But Hridoy had other ideas. The right-handed batsman remained unbeaten on 242 runs off 359 balls with 22 fours and 11 sixes. Taijul Islam and Taskin Ahmed provided him with great support towards the end.

Hridoy put on a crucial partnership of 117 and 85 runs for the eighth and ninth wickets with Taijul and Taskin respectively. Taijul scored 22 and Taskin 12 runs. Relying on their fighting spirit, Bangladesh scored 386 runs, taking an unexpected 30-run lead.

Simmons praised the young batsman for his ability to bat alongside the tailenders and understand the game situation, highlighting how Hridoy has not only scored runs but also given opportunities to the lower-order batsmen.

Simmons said, “Game sense, choosing the right shots, and when to strike the last three batters – he did everything perfectly in this innings.”

Questions were raised about Hridoy’s shot selection and sense of responsibility after he was dismissed for poor shots in both innings of the Dhaka Test. Even if Mominul Haque had not been dropped for the concussion protocol, his presence in the playing XI in Sylhet was uncertain. However, he responded to the criticism by batting.

When asked about Hridoy’s remarkable turnaround in mental strength and change of tactics, Simmons said, “Hridoy himself can tell the secret of this change. However, he praised the youngster’s ability to adapt quickly in international cricket.”

Simmons said, “If you get a chance to talk to Hridoy, you will ask him the secret reason for this change. But he has been batting well from the start. Yes, he played a few wrong shots in Dhaka, but that was only his second Test. So it would not be fair to judge him on that. He is learning quickly and maturing, which was evident on the field today.”

The coach did not forget to praise Taijul and Taskin for staying on the wicket with heart. He said that what was being worked on in practice, was exactly what was seen on the field.

Simmons added, “That’s what we wanted from our bowlers – if there’s a batter set on the wicket, you have to stay with it, fight with it. That’s exactly what the bowlers did. Unfortunately, Hasan Mahmud didn’t get a run, but we always try to make sure in practice that the bowlers can give the main batters the right company.”