Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 19, Smashes 48-Year-Old Record, Youngest Ever to Score 150 in Test History

South Africa has a new cricketing hero as Lhuan-dre Pretorius delivered a record-breaking performance on Saturday, becoming the youngest player in Test history to reach 150 runs in an innings.

Lhuan-dre Pretorius celebrates his record-breaking innings with Corbin Bosch.

The 19-year-old debutant achieved this milestone 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 remarkable 153 off 160 deliveries. Miandad was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 on his debut against New Zealand in Lahore in 1976. Pretorius also now holds the title of the youngest South African to score a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to achieve a century on debut.

His aggressive innings proved crucial, as South Africa found themselves in trouble at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. Teaming up with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, Pretorius forged a swift 95-run partnership in just 88 balls. Brevis contributed a lively 51 off 38 balls, including four sixes, marking the fastest Test fifty by a South African on debut.

"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 fours and four sixes.

South Africa concluded Day 1 at 418 for 9, with Corbin Bosch achieving 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-shattering Lhuan-dre Pretorius.