Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 19, Demolishes 48-Year-Old Record, Becomes Youngest to Score 150 in Test History on Debut

South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius has made history, becoming the youngest cricketer to score 150 runs in a Test innings. The 19-year-old debutant eclipsed a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

The remarkable achievement occurred during the first Test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club. Pretorius, at 19 years and 93 days, crafted a magnificent 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. Pretorius is also now the youngest South African to achieve a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to score a ton on debut.

His aggressive innings proved vital as South Africa struggled early, finding themselves at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. Pretorius 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 half-century 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 deliveries before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended with figures of 4 for 83. His innings included 11 boundaries and four towering sixes.

South Africa concluded Day 1 with a score of 418 for 9, with Corbin Bosch notching an unbeaten 100 – his first-ever century – from 124 balls. 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 unequivocally belonged to the record-breaking Lhuan-dre Pretorius.