Hridoy hits century when it mattered most

Dhaka, 20 Feb  - Towhid Hirdoy hit his maiden century when his service was badly needed for Bangladesh following a sensational collapse.

After the captain Najmul Hossain Shanto chose to bat first, Bangladesh were reduced to 35-5 in 8.3 overs. It was obviously a horrible start but Bangladesh had the experience of more horrendous start than this. 

In this Champions Trophy in 2002, Bangladesh were left at perilous 44-6 in the first 10 overs against New Zealand in Colombo. In 2004 Champions Trophy in England, Bangladesh lost first five wickets for 26 runs against West Indies in Southampton.

On both occasions, Bangladesh lost the game but this time, they got an unwavering resolve from a batter who had no century before this match.

Hridoy hit seven half-centuries in his 33 ODIs, before this match and he crossed 90-run mark twice. In fact in his maiden ODI against Ireland in 2023, he was dismissed for 92, missing out what could have been a record-breaking century.

Just four matches ago, he had his career-best 96 not out against Sri Lanka in 2024. When the century eluded him both times, he now made it count and at a time when it mattered most.

He got an ably support from Jaker Ali Anik, with whom he shared 154-run for the sixth wicket stand to help Bangladesh propel past 200. From 35-5, rarely any team could go past 200 but Hridoy’s steely resolve was key behind Bangladesh’s resurgent.

He, however, completed his maiden ton in the penultimate over of the innings by taking a single of Mohammed Shami. 

His century helped Bangladesh reach in a position from where they could now hope for the best given the two-paced nature of the wicket.