Hashim Amla Announces Retirement from All Forms of Cricket

Hashim Amla, a South African former cricketer who played for South Africa in all three formats of the game, declared his retirement from all cricket on January 18th, 2023. Other well-known players like Ab De Villiers paid tribute to him. 

Amla played for Surrey as an overseas player in 2013 and 2014, and he returned to the county in 2019 after helping them win the County Championship the previous year.

Do you know Hasim Amla played for which country?

Hashim Mohammad Amla(born 31 March 1983) is the most celebrated Batsman of South African Cricket History. He has created various records like, he became the first and the only Proteas’ batsman to score a triple century in Tests, Fastest ever to score 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 & 7000 ODI runs.

Amla has gathered 18,672 runs for Proteas’ in 44 T20Is, 124 Tests, and 181 ODIs, between 2004 to 2019. Amla’s 311 not out score against England at the Oval in July 2012 is the highest Test score by a South African Cricketer.

This 39-years old cricketer who retired from International cricket in the year 2019, has confirmed his retirement from all variants of Cricket and tournaments.

Surrey wrote on Twitter for Hashim Amla:

"Hashim Amla announces retirement from all forms of cricket. The legendary South African batter has declared his playing career over. From everyone at Surrey, thank you for everything Hash. @amlahash".

According to the Surrey website, Amla said:

"I have great memories of the Oval ground and to finally leave it as a player fills me with immense gratitude for what has been". 

Ab De Villiers reaction on Hashim Amla Retirement

Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, a former South African International Cricketer, has also paid tribute to Hashim Amla and shared his wish in the following words :

 "I wish I could bat with you one more time".

Ab De Villiers, throughout his 15-Years International career, was named as the ICC ODI Player of the year thrice. 

Following the retirement of his former teammate Hashim Amla from professional cricket, AB de Villiers has written a heartfelt message to him. 

Other than Ab De Villiers,  Alec Stewart, Surrey's director of cricket, described him as:

"true professional and a great of the game,"

He added:

"Hashim is a fantastic cricketer and a wonderful person. He has been an incredible resource for the team to learn from on and off the field. As well as posting big scores at vital moments, he has also shown his willingness to dig in and do what is needed to get his team a result in tough games.

Stewart said on Hashim Amla retirement: 

"I can't thank him enough for what he has done for Surrey and hold him up as an example to all young players of what a true professional looks like," 

Conclusion

Hashim Amla retired from all formats of cricket on January 18th, 2023, and his next assignment will be as the batting coach for MI Cape Town in the ongoing SA20.