Lhuan-dre Pretorius smashed an unbeaten 188 from 79 balls for South Africa’s Titans against the Knights on Friday, setting a new record for the highest individual score in T20 cricket.
Pretorius launched 13 sixes and 15 fours as he passed the previous top mark of 175 not out, set by West Indies great Chris Gayle while playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore against the Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League in 2013.
Pretorius, 20, was on course for a double century but ran out of overs as the Titans posted 267-3, before bowling out the Knights for 143 to seal a 124-run victory.
The left-hander has been in fine form of late despite being hampered by injury, with his previous innings a 53-ball 101 for South Africa in a T20 international against Namibia last month.
The Knights made a flying start to their chase, reaching 52-2 inside five overs, with Jacques Snyman making 32 before being bowled by Dayyaan Galiem and Cole Abrahams contributing 12 before falling to Eathan Bosch.
Tabraiz Shamsi then claimed his first wicket when George van Heerden, also on 12, picked out Leus du Plooy in the eighth over, before Ruan Haasbroek was caught by Pretorius off Junior Dala for six three overs later.
Gihahan Cloete top-scored with 39 from 25 deliveries, but the Knights struggled to maintain the required rate as Shamsi finished with 2-23 and Donovan Ferreira returned the best figures of 3-16.