South African Teenager Lhuan-dre Pretorius Smashes 48-Year-Old Record, Becomes Youngest to Score 150 in Test Cricket

South Africa's Lhuan-dre Pretorius made history on Saturday, becoming the youngest player to score 150 runs in a Test innings.

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

The 19-year-old debutant achieved this milestone during the first Test 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 his debut against New Zealand in Lahore in 1976. Pretorius is also the youngest South African to achieve a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to score a century on debut.

His aggressive innings was timely, as South Africa struggled at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. Pretorius, alongside fellow debutant Dewald Brevis, forged a quickfire 95-run partnership in just 88 balls. Brevis contributed 51 off 38 balls, including four sixes, recording the fastest Test fifty by a South African debutant.

"I was nervous when I came to the crease," Pretorius said 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 4 for 83. His innings included 11 fours and four sixes.

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*) while Codi Yusuf added a useful 27 during a 59-run ninth-wicket partnership.

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