Amla Proteas

Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers. Photo: BackpagePix

Proteas legends, AB de Villiers offer special tributes to Hashim Amla

The special legacy of Hashim Amla was brought into focus after legendary Proteas such as AB de Villiers paid tribute to the retired icon.

Amla Proteas

Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers. Photo: BackpagePix

Hashim Amla, one of the greatest Proteas of all time, retired from international cricket after the 2019 Cricket World Cup and did not play in South African domestic cricket after the 2018/19 season. However, he continued to play county cricket in England with great success over the past few years.

On Wednesday, though, Amla officially ended his 22-year playing career, having confirmed to Surrey that he would not be returning as a player this year after helping the side to win the English county championship in 2022.

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The responses to Amla’s retirement have shone a light on what an impact he made on South African cricket, and on his former teammates such as AB de Villiers, who he described as a “brother”.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

Special tributes also poured in from the likes of Dale Steyn and JP Duminy among numerous others.

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In 2012, Amla made a South African record 311 not out in the first Test at The Oval in London. It remains South Africa’s only triple century in Tests.

It was one of Amla’s 28 centuries in a 124-match Test career during which he scored 9,282 runs at an average of 46.64. He had an even better average in one-day internationals, hitting 27 centuries in 181 matches and scoring 8,113 runs at 49.46.

Amla also captained South Africa in 14 Tests.

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Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla is an all-time Proteas great. Image from Twitter by Thomas Mlambo