They lost by 124 runs. But to be fair, few teams could counter youngster Lhuan-dré Pretorius’s massive, record-breaking batting innings. The 20-year-old has broken Chris Gayle’s long-standing record for the highest men’s T20 score after he hit an unbeaten 188 off just 79 balls. 

He fell just 12 runs short of what could have been a historic first T20 double-century. Gayle’s record stood at 175 not out for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2013.

The Titans won the toss and elected to bat first. Pretorius got off to a flying start, reaching his half-century in only 24 balls. Sixteen balls later, his century was on the board. He did not have much support from the rest of the batting order, but honestly, he did not need it.

Lhuan-dré Pretorius was the Batsman of the Match. Photo: Facebook/Titans Cricket Team

The Titans eventually finished on 267 for three, the second-highest score in the competition’s history, behind their own 271 for three against the same opposition in 2022.

The Knights’ opening pair of Jacques Snyman (32 off 12) and Gihahn Cloete (39 off 25) got off to a valiant start, but it was never going to be enough to stand up against a once-in-a-lifetime batting innings. Only Cole Abrahams (12 off seven) and George van Heerden (12 off nine) managed double figures, and the home team was bowled out for 143 in 17.2 overs.

The Flexbrand Knights. Photo: Facebook/Knights Cricket

The Titans’ Donovan Ferreira and Junior Dala both took three wickets each, with Tabraiz Shamsi claiming two scalps.

After three rounds of the competition, the Knights remain without points in Pool B with not three losses to their name, while the Titans top the pool with 14 points. The Knights have another home game on Wednesday (7/10) when they take on the Tuskers in Bloemfontein. The match starts at 18:00.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg