LAHORE: South African batter Matthew Breetzke set a world record for the highest individual score on debut in international cricket. He scored 150 runs off 148 balls, hitting five sixes and 11 fours.
Before Breetzke, West Indies cricketer Desmond Haynes held the record with 148 runs in 1978. Breetzke achieved this milestone during the Tri-Nation Series, making history for South Africa. He became the first batter to score 150 on ODI debut. His knock was also the fourth-highest by a South African in men’s ODIs in Asia, joining Garry Kirsten, Quinton de Kock, and Andrew Hudson.
“It hasn’t sunk in yet, and I’m a bit tired,” Breetzke told the broadcaster. “Hope we can get the win. That’s the only thing on my mind. The pitch was tacky, and O’Rourke was tough to face. My plan was to bat long and accelerate at the end. If we strike in the powerplay and squeeze in the middle, we might have enough.”
His innings powered South Africa to 304/6 in 50 overs. He shared a crucial 131-run partnership with Wiaan Mulder, who scored 64 off 60 balls, hitting five fours and a six.
Batting first, South Africa posted a strong total despite an early setback. Captain Temba Bavuma fell for 20 in the eighth over, leaving the team at 37/1. Breetzke then partnered with Jason Smith for a 97-run stand. Smith looked solid until he was run out in the 25th over after scoring 41 off 51 balls.
South Africa lost another wicket when Kyle Verreynne fell for one in the 27th over. With the team at 132/3, Breetzke and Mulder took charge. They added 131 runs off 114 balls for the fourth wicket. Matt Henry broke the partnership in the 46th over, dismissing Breetzke at mid-off.
Breetzke finished as the top scorer with 150 runs. After his dismissal, Mulder accelerated before getting out in the penultimate over. He struck five fours and a six in his 64-run knock.
For New Zealand, Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke took two wickets each, while Michael Bracewell claimed one.
