Wiaan Mulder Shatters Records in Historic Test Innings

South Africa's stand-in captain, Wiaan Mulder, achieved remarkable feats in the second Test against Zimbabwe on Sunday, breaking multiple records with his extraordinary performance.

Mulder, who took the helm after Keshav Maharaj was sidelined with a groin injury, crafted an unbeaten 264, becoming the highest scorer in a debut innings as Test captain. According to the ICC, he also recorded the fastest-ever 250 runs by a South African player in terms of balls faced. His historic innings, which unfolded on Day 1 with South Africa reaching 465/4, marked the highest score by a South African batter in a single day of a Test match and included the second-fastest double century by a South African.

His efforts set new benchmarks, as South Africa posted their highest-ever single-day total in Test cricket and the most runs in a day's play on Zimbabwean soil. Despite losing early wickets, Mulder formed a crucial 184-run partnership with David Bedingham, while Lhuan-dre Pretorius's swift half-century bolstered the total. Zimbabwe's bowling lineup struggled to contain the onslaught, capping a challenging day for the hosts. The South African squad, without regular captain Temba Bavuma, capitalized on the momentum from their first Test victory, wherein Mulder had also played a pivotal role.

(With inputs from agencies.)