Matthew Breetzke smashes century in his ODI debut [Source: @LawrenceBailey0/X.com]
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South Africa’s Matthew Breetzke announced his arrival on the international stage in spectacular fashion, scoring a sublime century on his One Day International (ODI) debut during the ongoing second match of the Pakistan Tri-Series 2025 against New Zealand at Gaddafi Stadium.
The 26-year-old right-hander anchored the Proteas’ innings with a composed century off 128 balls, steering his team to a dominant total after New Zealand elected to bowl. The debutant’s milestone drew immediate acclaim, placing him in the top among a rare group of players to score a century in their maiden ODI appearance.
Matthew Breetzke's heroics etched his name into an exclusive club of cricketers who have scored a century in their first ODI. Let's take a look at the full list:
Player
Runs
Balls Faced
Strike Rate
Matthew Breetzke
150
148
101.35
Desmond Haynes
148
136
108.82
Rahmanullah Gurbaz
127
127
100.0
Mark Chapman
124*
116
106.89
Colin Ingram
124
126
98.41
Martin Guptill
122*
135
90.37
Andy Flower
115*
152
75.65
Temba Bavuma
113
123
91.86
Abid Ali
112
119
94.11
Phillip Hughes
112
129
86.82
Rob Nicol
108*
131
82.44
Michael English
107
122
87.70
Michael Lumb
106
117
90.59
Amir Jangoo
104*
83
125.30
Dennis Amiss
103
134
76.86
Saleem Elahi
102*
133
76.69
Reeza Hendricks
102
89
114.60
KL Rahul
100*
115
86.95
Imam-ul-Haq
100
125
80.00
Breetzke Shines Amid Solid South African Display
Breetzke’s knock, punctuated with punchy boundaries and staggering sixes, showcased his ability to balance aggression with patience. He forged critical partnerships, including a 93-run stand with Jason Smith and 131-run stand with Wiaan Mulder, propelling South Africa toward a formidable total.
Despite early strikes from New Zealand’s Michael Bracewell and William O’Rourke, the Black Caps struggled to contain Breetzke, who capitalized on loose deliveries while rotating strikes efficiently to rack up 150 runs off 148 balls.
New Zealand’s Uphill Battle
New Zealand’s bowlers toiled under pressure, with Ben Sears and Matt Henry delivering economical spells but failing to break Breetzke’s resolve. It was in the 46th over that Henry finally managed to dismiss the debutant. Meanwhile, Mitchell Santner’s spin also proved ineffective as the Proteas dominated the middle overs.
As South Africa posts a total of 304 runs for the Kiwis to chase, Breetzke’s debut masterclass has not only bolstered his team’s position in the Tri-Series but also signalled the rise of a potential long-term asset for the Proteas.
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Matthew Breetzke smashes century in his ODI debut [Source: @LawrenceBailey0/X.com]
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