Teenage Sensation Lhuan-dre Pretorius Makes History, Breaks 48-Year-Old Test Record

South African cricket witnessed a historic moment as Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a teenage sensation, shattered a 48-year-old record to become the youngest player to score 150 runs in a Test innings.

The 19-year-old debutant achieved the remarkable feat against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club. He surpassed the previous record held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

Pretorius, at 19 years and 93 days old, crafted a stunning 153 from 160 deliveries. Miandad was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 on debut against New Zealand in Lahore in 1976. The young Proteas star is now also the youngest South African to achieve a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to score a century on debut.

His aggressive innings arrived when South Africa were in a precarious position at 23 for 3, then later at 55 for 4. He formed a dynamic 95-run partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis off just 88 balls. Brevis contributed a rapid 51 off 38 balls, including four sixes, achieving 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 in 112 balls and his 150 in 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended the day with figures of 4 for 83. Pretorius's innings included 11 boundaries and four towering sixes.

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

However, the day undoubtedly belonged to Lhuan-dre Pretorius, the record-breaking young cricketer.