Towhid Hridoy wrote his name into the record books on the fourth day of Bangladesh A's second four-day match against South Africa A in Potchefstroom, becoming only the third Bangladeshi batter to score a triple century in first-class cricket and the first to do so outside Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh A captain had resumed the day unbeaten on 204, having completed his double century the previous evening at the NWC Oval, and went on to reach 300 off 450 balls, joining Raqibul Hasan and Tamim Iqbal on an exclusive list.
The venue carried special significance, being the same ground where Hridoy helped Bangladesh win the Under-19 World Cup in February 2020.
The innings also set a new record for the highest individual score by a Bangladesh A batter in first-class cricket, surpassing Shahriar Hossain Bidyut's 218 against Defence Housing Authority in Karachi in 2003.
In South African first-class cricket history, it is only the second triple century by an overseas batter in recognised cricket since the country's return from a 22-year ban.
Hridoy's marathon effort anchored an otherwise fragile batting display. Naeem Hasan fell early for 16 before Hasan Murad was bowled for 11, leaving the captain to hold the innings together while wickets tumbled around him.
Rejaur Rahman Raja provided crucial support in a ninth-wicket stand that allowed Hridoy to press on, with Bangladesh A ultimately turning a difficult position into a first-innings lead over the hosts.
The foundation had been laid across the previous two days. Resuming the third day on 201 for four with Hridoy overnight on 75, he brought up his century in 166 balls before reaching his double hundred off 335 deliveries, finishing that landmark with 22 fours and a six.
It was the second first-class double century of his career, having previously struck 217 for BCB South Zone against North Zone in Chattogram.
Jaker Ali Anik fell agonisingly short of a century on the third day, dismissed for 94 after adding 151 for the fifth wicket with Hridoy. Mohammad Saifuddin then shared a 185-run sixth-wicket stand with the captain before he too departed for 87, leaving Bangladesh A on 471 for six at stumps, trailing South Africa A's first innings total of 512 by 41 runs.
South Africa A's innings had been built on centuries from Sinekhwe Keshile, who made 128, and Lesego Senekwane with 111, alongside Gavin Kaplan's 77. Naeem Hasan led Bangladesh's bowling with four wickets, Hasan Murad claimed three and Raja finished with two.
Bangladesh A moved to 612 for eight at the time of writing, holding a lead of 100 runs, with Hridoy unbeaten on 301 from 451 balls and Raja offering steady support on 17 from 84 deliveries.