South Africa’s Hashim Amla announces retirement from international cricket
ASouth Africa’s premier batsman Hashim Amla has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 36-year old decided to quit the game with immediate effect. He is certainly one of the greatest batsmen to have played the game for South Africa.
In the recently concluded Cricket World Cup, Amla did not do that well and could only accumulate 203 runs in 7 matches. The side led by Faf du Plessis had endured their worst-ever World Cup campaign and failed to reach the semifinals of the competition. In 2013, Hashim Amla reached the top summit and became the number ranked batsman in the World in Test and ODI cricket.
Hashim Amla said in his statement, “Firstly, I want to thank Almighty Allah for giving me the opportunity to play for South Africa for a long time”. He said that he certainly enjoyed his journey with Proteas and made incredible friends along the way. Amla so acknowledged the contribution and support of his parents throughout this journey.
Cricket South Africa Chief Executive, Mr. Thabang Moroe said that Amla has been a great servant for South African cricket and the cricket board acknowledges his contribution to the game of cricket.
He is second-highest run-scorer for South Africa in Test cricket after Jacques Kallis. He accumulated 9282 runs in 124 matches at an average of 46.64. Amla smashed 28 centuries and 41 half-centuries in a 15-year old career. The 36-year old is the only South African batsman to score a triple hundred in Test cricket. He produced a magnificent 311 not out against England in a Test match at The Oval in 2012. He was awarded South Africa Cricket of the Year on two occasions in (2010 and 2013)
In limited-overs cricket, Amla scored 8113 runs in 181 matches at an average of 49.46. He scored 27 centuries and 39 half-centuries in his illustrious career for South Africa. Also, Amla became quickest to reach 3000,4000,5000,6000 and 7000 runs in limited-overs cricket.
In the 20-over format, Hashim Amla has scored 1158 runs in 44 matches at an average of 33.6 with seven half-centuries to his name.
