In the ongoing SA20 season, 18-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius has been in sensational form. Representing Paarl Royals, the South African youngster has amassed 338 runs in 11 innings, making him the second-highest run-scorer of the tournament.
Pretorius showcased his aggressive intent in Qualifier 1 against MI Cape Town, taking on Trent Boult right from the first over with a sequence of four, four, and six. It is his breathtaking six that is stealing the spotlight on social media. With a mere flick off his pads, he effortlessly sent the ball soaring over deep square leg. The shot seemed almost effortless, relying purely on his exquisite wristwork rather than sheer power.
— Cricket Punter (@ImRahulCSK11) February 5, 2025
Paarl Royals, chasing 199, got off to a blazing start as their opener smashed 21 runs in the very first over. However, Kagiso Rabada put an end to the storm on the very first ball of the next over, dismissing Lhuan-dre Pretorius. He departed after scoring 15 runs off 6 balls.
Royals’ middle order collapsed, leaving them struggling at 48 for 4. David Miller and Dinesh Karthik tried to steady the innings for a while, but chasing 199 proved to be a daunting task for the Royals, as they were eventually bowled out for 160. With this victory, MI Cape Town secured a spot in the final, while Paarl Royals will get another chance to book their place by winning Qualifier 2.
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Talking about Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, he is playing in a T20 league for the first time and has already made a strong impression with his performances. Before this, Pretorius played for South Africa’s domestic side, Titans. He was also South Africa’s highest run-scorer in the ICC U19 World Cup 2024, amassing 287 runs at an impressive average of 57.40.