Teenage Sensation! Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 19, Eclipses Miandad's Record With Debut Test Century

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

Pretorius, at 19 years and 93 days old, crafted a remarkable 153 off 160 balls during the first Test against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club. Miandad was 19 years and 119 days old when he scored 163 on debut against New Zealand in Lahore in 1976. Furthermore, Pretorius is now the youngest South African to achieve a Test century and the fifth-youngest overall to score a debut century in Test history.

His aggressive innings arrived at a critical juncture, with South Africa struggling at 23 for 3 and later 55 for 4. He formed 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 fifty by a South African debutant.

"There were nerves when I walked in," Pretorius acknowledged 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 from 112 deliveries and his 150 from 157 balls before being dismissed by Tanaka Chivanga, who ended the day with figures of 4 for 83. Pretorius struck 11 boundaries and four sixes during his historic innings.

South Africa concluded Day 1 at 418 for 9, with Corbin Bosch achieving 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.

Ultimately, the day belonged to the record-breaking Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who has announced himself on the world stage in spectacular fashion.