ZIM vs SA | Still in a great position to win, reinforces Mulder after refusing to chase Lara's 400

Wiaan Mulder played a historic knock of 367 off 334 deliveries in the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, making it the highest score for a South African batter in Test cricket. The stand-in skipper was just 34 runs away from breaking the record of West Indian legend Brian Lara at the stroke of Lunch on Day 2 when he decided to declare on a score of 626/5.

There are plenty of reasons that could have been the reason for this decision taken by the talented all-rounder, which includes the significance of the knock and the team he has scored the runs against,

Lara became the first person to score 400 in Tests against England in 2004, thereby reclaiming his record for the highest score in the format after his 375 was surpassed by Matthew Hayden. Mulder, meanwhile, romped to glory against an inexperienced Zimbabwean bowling attack, having also registered a 328-run win in the first Test.

“We have to keep the main thing the main thing, and that is winning the Test. I felt like we were in a good position to do that, and I didn't have to bat any longer. Also, I think respecting the game is really important; letting someone like Lara keep his record," Mulder told the reporters.

“He's one of the greatest to ever have played the game, so he deserves that. And, yeah, I think we're still in a great position to win the game, and that's all that matters,” Mulder added.

Zimbabwe was bowled out for 170 in reply to the mammoth total set by South Africa in the first innings and were 51/1 at Stumps on Day 2 after being asked to follow on with the Proteas' lead still a healthy 405 runs.