Lhuan-dre Pretorius Breaks Chris Gayle’s T20 Record With Stunning 188

Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail

South African batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius created T20 history on Saturday by scoring an unbeaten 188 as the Titans defeated the Knights by 124 runs in the CSA T20 Challenge.

The 20-year-old opener produced a remarkable innings at Mangaung Oval, smashing 188 runs from just 79 balls. His explosive knock included 15 fours and 13 sixes, helping the Titans post an imposing 267 for 3.

Pretorius’s score moved him past the previous record for the highest individual score in men’s T20 cricket, held by West Indies legend Chris Gayle.

Gayle had scored 175 for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors during the 2013 Indian Premier League. Pretorius surpassed that mark with an innings built around aggressive stroke play and remarkable consistency.

The South African reached his half-century from only 24 deliveries. He then accelerated further, bringing up his century after another 16 balls.

Pretorius went on to reach 150 in just 58 deliveries before finishing unbeaten on 188 from 79 balls. His strike rate was an extraordinary 237.97.

The innings also added another major achievement to Pretorius’s young international career. He has already represented South Africa in 17 T20 internationals, three ODIs and two Test matches.

After Pretorius helped the Titans reach 267-3, their bowlers completed the job by dismissing the Knights for 143.

The 124-run victory gave the Titans a commanding result, while Pretorius’s record-breaking performance became the main highlight of the match.

With his unbeaten 188, Pretorius now holds the record for the highest individual score in men’s T20 cricket, ending Gayle’s more than decade-long reign at the top.