The 30-year-old left-hander scored 169(151), smashing 22 fours and two sixes, despite having had a poor run in One-Day Internationals over the previous two years and failing to be selected for Bangladesh’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 squad.

This effort surpasses Sachin Tendulkar’s 163* against the Kiwis in Christchurch in 2009 as the highest ODI score by a Bangladeshi player away from home. Moreover, the total of 291 is Bangladesh’s highest ODI score in New Zealand.

Having lost the toss and been put in to bat, Bangladesh appeared vulnerable as they lost three of their first five wickets in less than ten overs. During this rebuilding phase, Soumya also lost a fourth partner, Towhid Hridoy (12), but he was supported by wicket-keeper/batter Mushfiqur Rahim, who made 45 (57) in a partnership of 91.

Following Mushfiqur’s dismissal to Jacob Duffy (3/51 from 10 overs), Soumya continued to help his team pass 200, increasing his scoring rate as Mehidy Hasan Miraz (19) and Tanzim Hasan Sakib (13) tried to chip in.

Leg-spinner Adithya Ashok, a New Zealand ODI debutant, looked impressive despite having figures of 1/63 from 10 overs next to his name; fellow youngster William O’Rourke finished with 3/47 (9.5), taking all three wickets in the last over of the innings to deny Soumya the opportunity to surpass Litton Das’ record for the highest ODI score by a Bangladesh player (176 in Sylhet against Zimbabwe in 2020). Mehidy was removed by Ashok.

See more: Odisha FC placed in Group D of the Kalinga Super Cup