Teenage South African Pretorius Smashes 48-Year-Old Record, Becomes Youngest to Score 150 in Test Debut

South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius made history on Saturday, becoming the youngest cricketer to score 150 runs in a Test innings. The 19-year-old debutant's remarkable achievement came during the first Test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club, surpassing a 48-year-old record previously held by Pakistani legend Javed Miandad.

Pretorius, at the age of 19 years and 93 days, played a stunning innings of 153 runs from 160 balls. Javed Miandad was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 on his debut against New Zealand in Lahore in 1976. Pretorius is also the youngest South African to score a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to achieve a debut ton.

His aggressive innings came at a critical time for South Africa, who were struggling at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. Pretorius partnered with fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, forming a quickfire 95-run partnership in just 88 balls. Brevis contributed 51 runs 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 game. "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 deliveries and his 150 in 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended the day with 4 wickets for 83 runs. Pretorius hit 11 fours and four sixes during his innings.

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

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