The host team's position appears to be extremely challenging at the end of the third day's play in the first Test match being played between South Africa and Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. South Africa has given Zimbabwe a massive target of 537 runs to win.
SPORTS NEWS: South Africa has completely tightened its grip on Zimbabwe by the end of the third day's play in the ongoing first Test match in Bulawayo. By the end of the third day's play, Zimbabwe has scored 32 runs for the loss of 1 wicket in its second innings, but it still needs 505 runs to win. South Africa, in its second innings, scored a massive 369 runs with the help of a brilliant century by Wiaan Mulder, setting a huge target of 537 runs, which seems almost impossible in terms of Test cricket.
South Africa's outstanding performance in the second innings
In South Africa's second innings, Wiaan Mulder played a brilliant innings of 147 runs, showing amazing patience and technique. Mulder scored 17 fours and 2 sixes in 206 balls and strengthened the innings by coming in at number three. Captain Keshav Maharaj also added a brilliant half-century (51), while Kyle Verreynne and Corbin Bosch contributed useful 36-36 runs. The team batted with full confidence and did not give Zimbabwe's bowlers any special chance.
Wellington Masakadza was the most successful bowler for Zimbabwe, who took 4 wickets and raised hopes of a comeback in the match for a while, but South Africa dominated completely due to the lack of support from the other bowlers.
South Africa's dominance in the first innings as well
Earlier, South Africa, after winning the toss, had scored 418 runs after batting first. Luhan Dre Pretorius (153) and Corbin Bosch (100) made a b position for the team with their brilliant centuries. Captain Keshav Maharaj played an innings of 45 runs. Tanaka Chivanga took 4 wickets for Zimbabwe, but the other bowlers were not effective.
In response, Zimbabwe scored 251 runs in the first innings, thanks to a brilliant century (137) by Sean Williams, giving South Africa a first innings lead of 167 runs. Wiaan Mulder also showed amazing performance with the ball, taking 4 wickets and completely binding Zimbabwe's batting.
Target of 537 runs
Now Zimbabwe has a huge target of 537 runs, which would be considered almost impossible for any team in Test cricket. Especially when the opposition's bowling unit has experienced players like Wiaan Mulder, Maharaj and Lungi Ngidi, this challenge seems even more difficult. The score of 32/1 at the end of the third day certainly gives some relief, but if wickets fall in the early session of the fourth day, the script of Zimbabwe's defeat will be prepared.
