South African Matthew Breetzke became the first player to score 150 in a One Day International (ODI) debut.
The batsman managed to score 150 runs off 148 balls, helping the Proteas reach a total of 304-6.
Matthew Breetzke broke the record previously held by former West Indies cricketer Desmond Haynes, who had scored 148 against Australia in 1978. The third-highest score by a player on ODI debut is 127 runs. These statistics highlight the magnitude of Breetzke’s achievement.
During the match, Breetzke was supported by Wiaan Mulder, who scored 64 runs, and Jason Smith, who contributed 41 runs. However, despite these efforts, the result did not change, and New Zealand won the match by six wickets. Matt Henry and Will O’Rourke took two wickets each for New Zealand.
New Zealand’s successful run chase was built on a 187-run second-wicket partnership between Devon Conway and Kane Williamson.
Conway scored 97 runs off 107 balls and was dismissed by Junior Dala when his team needed 68 runs from 87 balls.
Despite the dismissals of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Latham, who was out on his first ball, Williamson guided New Zealand to victory with an unbeaten 133 runs off 113 balls.
With Williamson’s final run, New Zealand secured their place in Friday’s tri-series final. The other finalist will be determined by the outcome of tomorrow’s match between South Africa and Pakistan.
One-day international, Lahore
South Africa 304-6 (50 overs): Breetzke 150 (148), Mulder 64 (60); Henry 2-59
New Zealand 308-4 (48.4 overs): Williamson 133* (113), Conway 97 (107); Muthusamy 2-50
New Zealand won by six wickets