188 — Lhuan-dre Pretorius sets new T20 record
Pretorius's 188 off 79 balls broke Gayle's 13-year-old record for the highest individual T20 score.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, 20, struck an unbeaten 188 off 79 balls for the Titans against the Knights on Friday, clearing Chris Gayle's 13-year-old mark of 175 not out. He struck 13 sixes and 15 fours as the Titans posted 267 for three, then bowled the Knights out for 143 to win by 124 runs.
Last month, carrying an injury, Pretorius had already made 101 off 53 balls for South Africa against Namibia. This innings came in the CSA T20 Challenge, where Tabraiz Shamsi took two wickets and Donovan Ferreira finished with three for 16.
Gayle's 175 not out for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Pune Warriors in the 2013 IPL season had stood as the benchmark since.
CricHubb Take
Pretorius is still two years from IPL eligibility, but the domestic record now sits with a left-hander who hits straight and doesn't slow down after fifty. Expect franchises to fast-track similar profiles in next year's auctions.