During the T20I Tri-Series match in Windhoek, Proteas batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius scored 94 runs, which was the best result of his T20I career, playing against Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
The powerful left-hander scored 94 runs off 51 balls, allowing Proteas to reach a score of 184/6 against Zimbabwe. This was Pretorius's second half-century in 16 T20I matches, and he successfully transferred his excellent form from the franchise to the international level. Pretorius hit 12 fours and three sixes.
The foundation of the Proteas innings was built by the partnerships between Pretorius and opener Jordan Herman (28 runs off 25 balls) and Dewald Brevis (41 runs off 27 balls). This initial platform provided the team with 68 runs off 46 balls, after which Brevis started playing very actively, and after losing the second wicket, the team earned 86 runs off 46 balls.
Pretorius deliberately slowed down in both partnerships, carefully avoiding unfavorable deliveries. When Proteas were at 154/1 with less than five over limits, it seemed that a total over 200 would be sufficient. However, the dismissal of Brevis, caught by Sikandar Raza off Brad Evans, triggered a mini-collapse, as Proteas could only add 30 runs upon losing five wickets.
Spinner Wesley Madhevere (3/20) played a significant role in the decline in average, and Evans (2/33) also took an important wicket of Pretorius, who was just one ball away from a century in T20I.
Zimbabwe's requirement for victory
Ultimately, South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first. The final score was: Proteas: 184/6 (Pretorius 94, Brevis 41, Madhevere 3/20, Evans 2/33). Therefore, Zimbabwe needs 185 runs to win.