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Hashim Amla is a former South African cricketer who was known for his consistency and elegance at the crease. He is one of the most respected batsmen in the world and often left opponents mesmerised with his stroke play. Born on March 31, 1983, in Durban, South Africa, Amla's early years were marked by his love for cricket and a deep connection to his Indian roots. Over time, he went on to become a household name in international cricket, earning numerous accolades along the way.
As a child growing up in Durban, Hashim Amla had an affinity for cricket that was evident from an early age. His grandfather had migrated from Surat, India, to South Africa in 1927, and Amla remained connected to his Indian heritage throughout his life. Despite facing some initial scepticism about his technique as a batsman due to his unique style of play, he persevered and continued to work hard at improving himself.
Amla attended Durban High School where he honed his skills as a cricketer before making it into the KwaZulu Natal Under-19 team. He played domestically for the Dolphins before being selected for the national team.
Amla first made waves in domestic cricket when he scored three consecutive centuries during the 2002-03 season of South Africa's Standard Bank Cup. It wasn't long before he received international recognition, making his debut against India in November 2004.
Amla struggled initially at the international level but bounced back with a career-saving century against New Zealand in Cape Town in April 2006 after being dropped from the national side earlier that year. He then had an excellent tour of India later that year where he scored 307 runs in three innings.
Over the years, Amla established himself as one of the most consistent and reliable batsmen in international cricket. He holds the record for being the fastest cricketer to reach 2,000, 3,000, 4,000, 5,000, 6,000 and 7,000 ODI runs and became the fastest cricketer to score ten ODI centuries.
A right-handed batsman who occasionally bowled off-breaks, Amla played for South Africa in all three formats of the game. He was particularly effective in Test cricket where he scored over 9000 runs at an average of over 46.
Amla's technique was marked by his supple wrists that allowed him to play forcing shots off the back foot and tucking balls off his pads through the on-side with ease. Though not known as a power-hitter, he excelled in T20 cricket as well and finished sixth on the list of top run-getters in IPL 2017.
Amla played a crucial role in getting South Africa to the semifinals of the World T20 held in Bangladesh in March-April 2014 when he scored 185 runs in five innings at an average of over 37. In July of that year, Amla became South Africa's Test captain and led them until January 2016.
Despite his success in international cricket, Amla struggled with form leading up to his retirement from international cricket on August 8th, 2019. However, he remained a prolific scorer throughout his career and ended his career with over 18 thousand international runs across all formats.
Hashim Amla was one of South Africa's finest cricketers who excelled across all formats of the game. He was known for his graceful stroke-play, composed demeanour, and unwavering commitment to the sport. Despite facing initial struggles as a batsman, he persevered and went on to establish himself as a legend of the game.
Hashim Amla has had an illustrious career in international cricket, representing South Africa in all formats of the game. He has been part of some iconic moments in ICC tournaments, including the World Cup, Champions Trophy, and World T20.
Amla's performance in the 2011 World Cup was commendable as he scored a total of 306 runs in eight matches with one century against the Netherlands. However, his lacklustre form in the quarterfinals against New Zealand led to South Africa's exit from the tournament.
Four years later, during the 2015 World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand, Amla stood out once again for his consistent batting performance. He scored 345 runs at an average of 69 and played a crucial role in helping South Africa reach the semifinals. Although he failed to make a significant contribution when it mattered most in the semifinal match against New Zealand, Amla finished as South Africa's highest run-scorer of the tournament.
Apart from ICC tournaments, Amla also made significant contributions to his team's success on numerous other occasions. In particular, he was instrumental during South Africa's tour of India in November-December 2010. During the Test series that followed, Amla amassed an impressive tally of 490 runs with two centuries and two half-centuries.
In the IPL 2017 season, despite not being known for his power-hitting abilities, Amla exhibited solid performances throughout the tournament by scoring two centuries for Kings XI Punjab. His sublime innings of unbeaten 104 off just 60 balls against Gujarat Lions reflected his skillset as a top-order batsman capable of adapting to different formats.
Hashim Amla is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in modern-day cricket. He has a unique batting style that exudes elegance and fluidity, making him a crowd favourite globally. Amla's primary role in the team was that of an opening batsman, although he could bat anywhere in the top order.
With his supple wrists and excellent timing, Amla plays a range of shots with ease. His ability to play both attacking and defensive strokes makes him difficult to contain for bowlers. Always looking for gaps in the field, Amla is particularly strong while playing, forcing shots off the back foot and tucking it off his pads through the on-side.
Amla's tactical awareness at the crease is impressive, enabling him to adapt quickly to different conditions and situations. He possesses extraordinary mental strength that allows him to stay calm under pressure. Though not known for hitting big shots, he can change gears when necessary and build innings with precision.
Despite being primarily known for his batting prowess, Amla also had occasional success as an off-break bowler. While he might not have contributed significantly with the ball, his presence added another dimension to South Africa's bowling attack.
Hashim Amla has always been known for his calm demeanour on and off the field. He carries himself with grace and dignity, earning respect from fellow cricketers worldwide.
A devout Muslim, Amla has always been open about his religious beliefs and practices; he even sported a beard during games as an expression of faith before changing it later due to sponsorship commitments.
Though never assuming full-time captaincy responsibilities, Amla has been a leader within the South African team set-up throughout his career; he served as Test captain between 2014-15 where he led the team to several victories.
Apart from cricket, Amla has a keen interest in wildlife conservation and spends time spreading awareness about the same. He also runs a charity foundation that provides education for underprivileged children in South Africa. With his exceptional on-field performances and off-field persona, Hashim Amla remains an inspiration for cricket lovers globally.
Hashim Amla's career and accomplishments have left a lasting impact on cricket. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen to have played for South Africa and in world cricket. His unorthodox style, solid technique, and temperament made him an ideal top-order batsman in all formats of the game.
Amla's records in ODI cricket are exceptional, with his ability to score heavily against all oppositions making him one of the most feared batsmen in world cricket. He was also instrumental in South Africa's success in Test cricket, with his record-breaking triple hundred against England being a testament to his talent.
Amla's impact on the game extends beyond his achievements. His calm demeanour, humility, and dedication to the sport have made him an inspiration for future cricketers. Many young players look up to him as a role model and try to emulate his work ethic and approach towards batting.
Moreover, Amla has set a high standard for sportsmanship both on and off the field. He has been known for his impeccable conduct and respect towards fellow teammates and opponents throughout his career.
Hashim Amla's performances over the years have garnered praise from all corners of the cricketing world. He has been named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2013, and won multiple ICC awards for Test and ODI cricket, including being part of several World XIs.
In addition to these individual accolades, Amla was appointed South Africa's Test captain in 2014, leading them to series wins against Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and West Indies before resigning from captaincy due to personal reasons.
Amla was appointed as an honorary member of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) - one of the oldest organisations governing cricket worldwide- which recognizes individuals who have made a significant impact on the sport.
Hashim Amla is one of the greatest cricketers in South African cricket history, and his career highlights are a testament to his lifelong dedication and passion for the game. His technique and consistency have been admired by many, and he has left a lasting impact on future generations of cricketers.
Amla's legacy will be remembered as a player who overcame initial struggles to become a stalwart of South African cricket, setting records across all formats of the game. With his retirement, cricket has lost one of its most humble players who played with utmost integrity throughout his career.
FAQs
When did Hashim Amla retire from international cricket?
Hashim Amla announced his retirement from international cricket on August 8, 2019.
What is Hashim Amla's highest score in Test cricket?
Hashim Amla's highest score in Test cricket is 311 not out against England at The Oval in July 2012.
How many ODI centuries does Hashim Amla have in ODI?
Hashim Amla has scored 27 ODI centuries in his career.
Was Hashim Amla ever appointed as captain?
Yes, he was appointed South Africa's Test captain from June 2014 to January 2016.
What is Hashim Amla doing after retiring from international cricket?
After retiring from international cricket, Hashim Amla has been serving as a batting mentor for various teams and playing domestic T20 leagues such as IPL and CPL.
