South African Teen Sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius Smashes 48-Year-Old Record in Stunning Test Debut

Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a South African teenager, made history on Saturday by becoming the youngest player to score 150 runs in a Test innings. The 19-year-old debutant achieved this remarkable feat against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, surpassing a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius celebrates his record-breaking debut with fellow South African cricketer, Corbin Bosch.

At 19 years and 93 days old, Pretorius crafted a brilliant 153 off 160 balls. Previously, Miandad held the record, scoring 163 on debut against New Zealand in Lahore in 1976 at the age of 19 years and 119 days. Pretorius is also the youngest South African to achieve a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to score a debut century in Test history.

His aggressive innings arrived when South Africa was struggling, first at 23 for 3 and later at 55 for 4. He forged a swift 95-run partnership in just 88 balls with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis. Brevis contributed a rapid 51 off 38 balls, including four sixes, marking the fastest Test fifty by a South African debutant.

"There were nerves when I walked in," Pretorius admitted after the day's play. "We knew they had only two seamers, and we targeted the spinners. I just love batting. It worked out today."

Pretorius reached his century from 112 deliveries and his 150 from 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended the day with figures of 4 for 83. Pretorius's innings included 11 fours and four sixes.

South Africa concluded Day 1 at 418 for 9, with Corbin Bosch scoring an unbeaten 100 – his maiden century – from 124 balls. He received support from Kwena Maphaka (9*), while Codi Yusuf added a useful 27 during a 59-run ninth-wicket partnership.

Ultimately, the day belonged to the record-breaking Lhuan-dre Pretorius.