Make-shift South African Test captain Wiaan Mulder was on the verge of creating a world record in the red-ball format as he was close to breaking Brian Lara's record of scoring 400 runs in a Test innings.
Mulder was cruising through the first innings as he smashed multiple records in Test cricket. The middle-order batter became the second-fastest triple-century scorer, broke Hanif Mohammad's record of scoring most runs in a Test innings in an away game and also went past Sir Garfield Sobers' tally of 365 runs.
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As the batter reached 367 runs off 334 deliveries, lunch was called on South Africa were comfortably placed at 626/4 after the first session on Day 2 at Bulawayo.
The cricket world was convinced that Lara's record was in danger as Mulder looked unstoppable with his bat. However, the Proteas skipper made a shocking call by declaring the innings as he sent the hosts to bat after Lunch.
The decision came as a shock to fans and experts across the globe, as most of them felt that sticking around for a bit longer to complete the world record would not have made much difference in the outcome of the match.
READ: Highest individual scores in a Test innings listed
What did Dale Steyn say on Wiaan Mulder's decision to declare?
Steyn made a bold prediction that the Rainbow Nation would win the Test with a day to spare and believed that Mulder should have gone after the milestone. However, the iconic fast bowler congratulated the captain for a marvellous innings.
The former pacer wrote on 'X': "SA will win this Test with a day to spare, those few overs after lunch would never haunt them. 400 was deserved. That said, 367 is an amazing achievement. Congratulations Wessie!"
SA will win this Test with a day to spare, those few overs after lunch would never haunt them.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) July 7, 2025
400 was a deserved.
That said 367 is an amazing achievement.
Congratulations Wessie!
South African spin bowler Tabrais Shamsi also weighed in on Mulder declaring the innings as he added: "No man no no no... why the declaration. So much time left in the game. Could have told him he's got 5 overs to go out there and smash it to try and get to 400."
No man no no no... why the declaration 😭😭😭
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) July 7, 2025
So much time left in the game. Could have told him he's got 5 overs to go out there and smash it to try and get to 400 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/ovu0hMfMgI
How did fans react to Wiaan Mulder's declaration before completing world record?
No WTC points up for grabs. Only day 2. Stupidest call of all time. https://t.co/mVIs6kmG3H
— Ejaaz Haswary (@Ejaaz_Mufc) July 7, 2025
And this is why cricket breaks my heart... I dreamt as a kid about that 375 innings. Then the 400 by Lara. Now one of our own get a chance... but nope! https://t.co/u1C6W2ZhNf
— Darren Mansfield (@Darren_dude) July 7, 2025
Bad call of declaration!
— Sourabh Sanyal 🇮🇳 (@sourabhsanyal) July 7, 2025
⚠️ Very very very strange decision.
— Vishal. (@SPORTYVISHAL) July 7, 2025
But salute to the selfless Wiaan Mulder, very few players in the history of cricket would have courage to do this and he is one of them.
Oh MULDER ❤️👏🏼👑!! pic.twitter.com/DlnxeXAybI
Kept the record sacred because Lara was actually facing a decent test team. Respect
— Raj Chohan (@rajsinghchohan) July 7, 2025
Why did South Africa declare before Wiaan Mulder's world record?
While it's still not clear why Mulder ended the innings before he could reach a historic milestone, many believe that the young captain did not want to drag the innings and instead allow Zimbabwe to bat and they can get enough time to bowl out the hosts twice.
However, considering the series is not part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, and SA already leading the series, Mulder should have gone for the milestone. The selflessness on this occasion clearly did not make any sense.
What next for South Africa?
The reigning WTC champions have already picked up five Zimbabwe wickets within 20 overs and will aim to pick up all 20 wickets and seal the fate of the match as early as possible.