After scoring an unbeaten century against Bangladesh last October in the Chattogram Test, Aiden Mulder reached another milestone by hitting a century for the first time in seven innings. Alongside his superb innings and a fifty from Keshav Maharaj, South Africa set a massive target for Zimbabwe.
In the first Test in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe safely negotiated the first 18 overs chasing the target of 537 runs. However, in the final over of the day, Takudzwanashe Kaitano was dismissed by Corbin Bosch. At the end of day three, the hosts stood at 32 for 1, still needing 505 runs to survive the match, with two days left to bat.
Mulder was the star of day three, playing his career-best innings of 137 runs off 206 balls, including 17 fours and 2 sixes.
Previously, Mulder had scored an unbeaten 105 batting at number seven against Bangladesh. This time, he notched his century batting at number three.
In their second innings, South Africa posted 369 runs, which, combined with their first innings lead of 167, set Zimbabwe a daunting target of over 500 runs.
South Africa resumed Monday’s play at 49 for 1 wicket. The previous day, Tony de Zorzi departed unbeaten on 22 after adding just 9 runs. Mulder and David Bedingham then put on an aggressive third-wicket partnership, scoring 72 runs in 84 balls.
South Africa quickly lost three wickets thereafter. Bedingham fell for 35 runs. Neither Luan-dre Pretorius, who set a record 163 on debut, nor the fiery Dewald Brevis managed to reach double digits this time. Both were bowled by leg-spinner Vincent Masekesa.
From 155 for 5 wickets, Mulder and Kyle Verreynne built the highest partnership of the innings with 104 runs for the sixth wicket. Mulder reached his century off 149 balls before falling just shy of 150, caught near the hundred-and-fifty mark.
Verreynne followed soon after, dismissed for 36 runs. Then, Corbin Bosch and Maharaj put on a crucial 92-run partnership for the eighth wicket, pushing the team’s total past 350.
Bosch, who had remained unbeaten with a century in the first innings, scored 36 off 41 balls this time. Maharaj, leading the team in this series, registered his sixth fifty with 51 runs off 70 balls.
Wellington Masakadza, Zimbabwe’s left-arm spinner, was the most successful bowler with four wickets for 98 runs.
Zimbabwe’s innings progressed steadily with cautious batting from Kaitano and Prince Masvaure. However, Kaitano lost his patience and was dismissed for 12 runs off 62 balls in the final over of the day. Masvaure, who came in as a concussion substitute for Brian Bennett, remains unbeaten on 5 runs from 49 balls.
Brief Score Summary
South Africa 1st Innings: 418/9 declared
Zimbabwe 1st Innings: 251
South Africa 2nd Innings: 369 in 82.5 overs (De Zorzi 31, Mulder 147, Bedingham 4, Pretorius 4, Brevis 3, Verreynne 36, Bosch 36, Maharaj 51, Yusuf 8*, Mafaka 8; Muzarabani 11.5-1-38-1, Chivanga 16-0-76-2, Masakadza 22-0-98-4, Madhevere 10-1-35-1, Masekesa 23-1-117-2)
Zimbabwe 2nd Innings (target 537): 32/1 in 18.2 overs (Kaitano 12, Masvaure 5*; Yusuf 4-1-5-0, Mulder 4-2-2-0, Mafaka 3-0-9-0, Maharaj 5-2-6-0, Bosch 2.2-1-1-1)
