On Monday, Breetzke broke the world record for the highest-ever score on debut in an ODI during their six-wicket defeat to New Zealand in the Tri-Nations series in Lahore.

The 26-year-old Breetzke hit 11 fours and five sixes as he scored 150 off 148 balls to guide South Africa to 304/6. He became the first player in history to score 150 or more on debut in a One-Day International. 

Following the match, Breetzke said the defeat was somewhat of a fly in the ointment. “It’s very disappointing that we lost – I was bleak out there in the field,” said Breetzke, who has previously represented South Africa in T20 International cricket.

“It’s probably the best I’ve batted in one-day cricket. I wanted the win; it would have made it a bit more special – but that’s how cricket goes. There’s nothing we could do.

‘We did nothing wrong tactically’

“It was tough out there in the first hour, and my mindset was to just get through the first 10 overs and then kick on. Luckily it worked out for me today.

“The wicket got better to bat on as the game went on, and we came up against two quality cricketers there. The bowlers tried hard, and we did nothing wrong tactically; they were just too good for us.

Matthew Breetzke. Photo: Cricinfo

“We move on and hopefully can get the win in our next game.”

On Wednesday, South Africa will face the hosts, Pakistan, in Karachi, and a win will advance them to the final. This is because Pakistan also lost their first game, going down by 78 runs to the Black Caps on Saturday.

Play is scheduled to start at 11:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg