Lhuan-dre Pretorius produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting in Bloemfontein, rewriting the record books with an extraordinary 188 from just 79 balls for the Titans in the CSA T20 Challenge.
The 20-year-old left-handed opener struck 15 fours and 13 sixes as the Titans posted 267 for three against the Knights. His innings became the highest individual score in men’s T20 cricket, surpassing the previous mark held by West Indies legend Chris Gayle.
Pretorius, however, came agonisingly close to an even bigger milestone. Another 12 runs would have taken him to 200, making him the first batter to score a double century in men’s T20 cricket. Despite falling short of that landmark, his 188 was enough to establish a new world record.
Gayle’s previous record had stood for 13 years. Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2013 Indian Premier League, the explosive Caribbean opener scored an unbeaten 175 from 66 deliveries against the now-defunct Pune Warriors. That innings had remained the benchmark for individual T20 batting performances until Pretorius produced his extraordinary effort.
The South African opener’s assault gathered pace almost immediately. He reached his half-century from only 24 balls and needed another 16 deliveries to bring up his century. His scoring rate barely slowed thereafter, with Pretorius reaching 150 from 58 balls before finishing on 188.
His innings contained a remarkable combination of boundary-hitting and sustained aggression. The 15 fours and 13 sixes accounted for a substantial portion of his score, while his ability to keep finding the boundary allowed the Titans to maintain an exceptional scoring rate throughout their innings.
The result was a commanding victory for the Titans. After reaching 267 for three, they dismissed the Knights for 143, winning by 124 runs. Pretorius’s individual achievement therefore came alongside a comprehensive team performance.
The Titans’ total was also significant in the context of the competition. Their 267 for three became the second-highest team score in the CSA T20 Challenge, while the highest total remains their own 271 for three.
Pretorius entered the match in strong form. It was his first appearance of the 2026-27 season, following impressive performances in the previous month’s tri-series involving South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. He scored 94 and 101 in two of those matches, and carried that momentum into the domestic competition.
The young batter has already established an international career despite his age. He has represented South Africa 22 times across formats, including two Tests, three ODIs and 17 T20 internationals. His T20 international strike rate of 154.58 reflects the attacking style that has become a major feature of his game.
Pretorius’s rise began early. After making a name for himself in South African school cricket, he entered professional cricket at the age of 17. His first-class debut for the Titans came in December 2024 against the Warriors, and he immediately made an impression by scoring 120 in the first innings.
His Test debut was equally memorable. Against Zimbabwe in July last year, Pretorius scored a century at the age of 19 years and 93 days, becoming the youngest Test centurion in South Africa’s 136-year Test history.
Now, another chapter has been added to his rapidly developing career. His 188 not only eclipsed Gayle’s long-standing record but also demonstrated the extraordinary range and attacking intent of a batter still at the beginning of his professional journey.
For Pretorius, the night could hardly have been more significant. The only lingering frustration will be the 12 runs that separated him from an unprecedented T20 double century. Instead, he leaves Bloemfontein with 188 runs, a world record and another major milestone to his name.
