Teenage South African Lhuan-dre Pretorius Shatters 48-Year-Old Record, Becomes Youngest to Score 150 on Test Debut

South Africa has a new cricketing hero. Lhuan-dre Pretorius, a teenage sensation, has made history by becoming the youngest player ever to score 150 runs in a Test innings. The 19-year-old achieved this remarkable feat on debut against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, surpassing a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

At 19 years and 93 days old, Pretorius crafted a brilliant 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. In addition to this milestone, Pretorius is now the youngest South African to score a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to achieve a debut ton.

His counterattacking innings proved pivotal, arriving when South Africa was struggling at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. Pretorius formed a dynamic partnership with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, resulting in a rapid 95-run stand in just 88 balls. Brevis contributed a blistering 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 mark in 112 deliveries 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 fours and four sixes.

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

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