[WATCH]- Controversy Erupts As Zimbabwe Appeal Rejected In ZIM vs SA Test

Zimbabwe’s players expressed clear frustration with the on-field umpire’s decision regarding South African batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius on Day 1 of the first Test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. A video from June 28 showed a Zimbabwe player telling the 19-year-old, through the stump mic, that he should have walked off because he was clearly out.

The incident occurred during the 25th over, bowled by Tanaka Chivanga, who delivered from around the wicket and managed to find an inside edge off Pretorius’ bat. The wicketkeeper collected the ball cleanly, and the fielding side went up in confident appeal, but the umpire was unmoved.

With no Decision Review System (DRS) in place for the two-match series, the players were forced to accept the on-field call. You can watch the video here:

“You’ve got to walk for that” 🗣️ #ZIMvSA Pretorius survives, somehow. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/RGA7J161Pf

— Richard Faasen (@RichFaasen) June 28, 2025

At the time of the incident, debutant left-hander Lhuan-dre Pretorius was batting on 30, with South Africa struggling at 68/4 against the hosts, the newly-crowned World Test Champions. However, he went on to score a stunning 153, rewriting the record books in the process. Pretorius became the youngest South African to hit a debut Test century and the youngest ever to score 150 on debut.

Pretorius, Bosch Tons Crush Zimbabwe On Day 1

In addition to Pretorius’ brilliant knock, Corbin Bosch also made a significant impact with a century as South Africa posted 418/9 in the 90 overs on Day 1. After winning the toss and choosing to bat, the visitors faced early trouble, losing their top four batters cheaply — including ducks for Tony de Zorzi and David Bedingham.

Debutants Dewald Brevis and Pretorius steadied the innings with a crucial 95-run stand. Brevis played a fluent innings, scoring 51 off just 41 balls, which included three boundaries and four sixes. Bosch remained unbeaten on 100 from 124 balls, with Kwena Maphaka at the other end, as South Africa aim to tighten their grip on the match heading into Day 2.

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