Proteas young guns Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis bring the heat in Windhoek

In a thrilling T20I Tri-Series match against Zimbabwe in Windhoek on Tuesday, Proteas young stars Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis delivered a stellar performance. The 20-year-old Pretorius scored a career-best 94 off 51 balls, becoming just the second player in 16 T20I innings to reach a half-century. His powerful left-hander smashed 12 boundaries and three sixes, propelling the Proteas to a formidable 184/6 total.

Pretorius' partnership with opening partner Jordan Hermann (28 off 25 balls) laid the foundation for the innings, with the duo adding 68 runs off just 46 balls. This opening set the stage for Brevis to shine, as he took his game to the next level. Coming in as the second wicket, Brevis smashed an unbeaten 86 off 46 balls, contributing significantly to the team's total.

With the Proteas sitting comfortably at 154/1 after just under five overs, it seemed they were well on their way to posting a massive score. However, the momentum was short-lived when Brevis was dismissed, caught by Sikandar Raza off the bowling of Brad Evans. This dismissal triggered a mini-collapse as the Proteas managed to add a mere 30 more runs for the loss of five wickets.

Off-spinner Wessly Madhevere played a crucial role in the middle-order slump, while Evans also contributed with the second-wicket catch. Despite Pretorius' valiant efforts, he fell a single run short of achieving a maiden T20I century. The Proteas finished the game at 184/6, showcasing the impressive contributions of their young stars, Pretorius and Brevis.