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South Africa's Mulder blasts 264 in record-breaking leadership debut

Pakistan, July 7 -- South Africa's Wiaan Mulder made history on Sunday by scoring an unbeaten 264* in his first Test as captain, setting a new record for the highest score by a debut Test skipper. His commanding knock helped South Africa reach 465/4 on the opening day of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.

Mulder, standing in for injured captain Keshav Maharaj, surpassed the 56-year-old record held by New Zealand's Graham Dowling, who scored 239 in 1968. The 27-year-old all-rounder took just 214 balls to bring up his double century - the second-fastest by a South African in Test cricket - and ended the day with 35 boundaries in his 264-run masterclass.

This was Mulder's second consecutive Test century, following his 147 in the first Test which South Africa won by a massive 328 runs. Promoted to number three, he formed two crucial partnerships: a 184-run stand with David Bedingham (82) and a 217-run blitz with teenage prodigy Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who made a quickfire 78 from 87 balls.

Zimbabwe had started strongly, dismissing both South African openers early. But Mulder's counterattack quickly shifted the momentum. He was briefly dismissed on 247, only to be called back after the delivery was ruled a no-ball by Tanaka Chivanga.

Play ended early due to bad light, with Mulder set to resume on day two alongside Dewald Brevis (15*). South Africa's powerful first-day display came despite missing several top players from their recent World Test Championship triumph over Australia