South Africa’s legendary player, Hashim Amla has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket today.
Amla last played cricket for Surrey in the County Championship 2022 and helped them lift the trophy as well.
Already, Amla has bid goodbye to international cricket after participating in the 50-over World Cup in 2019.
To his credit, Amla has 55 hundreds in international cricket for the Proteas and is occupying the sixth position on the list of batters who have the most hundreds in cricket.
During their prime years, the pair of AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla were the most fearful in world cricket.
Now, after Amla’s announcement, de Villiers has penned a long note for his fellow teammate and has wished to bat with him one more time.
In world cricket, Amla has always been a very calm and consistent player who used to ooze class and hit the ball gently.
But, de Villiers was South Africa’s Mr 360 as he played very explosive shots for the team all around the park.
Writes de Villiers,
Hashim Amla.. where do I start?! Not easy. Might take me a few days, weeks, months, years. I can literally write a book about you. Humaam, thank you for always being there for me. You’ve always been a brother who made me feel safe in so many ways.
AB de Villiers writes a very thoughtful note for Hashim Amla
Continuing further, de Villiers writes,
Your journey wasn’t easy. “The guy with the weird technique.” “He’ll never last.” “He’ll never be consistent.” But then, in your own very unique way, you just walked out there, time and time again and just batted, like only you can. Calm, composed, consistent, gutsy, skilful and humble, always for the team, for your country. You inspired me in a way I can’t explain.
Concluding the tweet, de Villiers says,
So, today, I salute you my friend. You served the game to perfection! We can all learn from that. I did. I wish I could bat with you one more time.
Amla’s stats in international cricket for South Africa
Talking about Tests, then Amla has played overall 124 games for South Africa and has amassed 9282 runs that include 28 centuries and 4 double centuries.
Apart from this, his highest score in Test cricket is an unbeaten 311 that came against England in 2012 at the Kia Oval.
This is also the first triple century by a Proteas batter in Test cricket.
When we look at ODIs, then Amla has played 181 games and amassed 8113 runs with an average of 49.47 and contains 27 tons and 39 fifties.
Recently, Amla has taken on a new role in cricket. He is currently the batting coach of MI Cape Town in SA20.
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