Hashim Mohammed Amla, born 31 March 1983. Raised in Durban, Natal Province, South Africa, he is one of the best and most successful batsmen in modern cricket history. Known for his calm nature, stroke play and consistency, Amla has earned a reputation as one of the greatest South African cricketers of all time. During a career spanning over 15 years, he played in all formats, scoring runs with grace and precision.
Hashim Amla was born into a South African-Indian family of Gujarati descent. His grandparents had migrated to South Africa from India several decades ago. He studied at Durban High School, a renowned institution that has produced many South African cricketers. From an early age, he was recognised as a special talent. His technique, concentration and ability to remain calm under pressure stood out even at school level.
He progressed rapidly in provincial cricket and made his mark for the Dolphins. At just 21 years of age, he was made the captain of his local team, a testament to his leadership qualities and maturity.
Amla made his Test debut against India at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on 28 November 2004. Although his start was humble, his ability and temperament soon became apparent. He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh on 9 March 2008 and later made his T20I debut against Australia on 13 January 2009. Many critics questioned his unorthodox technique and ability to handle fast bowling. But Amla silenced them all with consistent performances and numerous match-deciding innings.
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 124 | 215 | 16 | 9282 | 311 | 46.64 | 18573 | 49.97 | 28 | 41 | 1170 | 14 | 108 | 0 |
| ODIs | 181 | 178 | 14 | 8113 | 159 | 49.46 | 9178 | 88.39 | 27 | 39 | 822 | 53 | 87 | 0 |
| T20Is | 44 | 44 | 6 | 1277 | 97 | 33.60 | 967 | 132.05 | 0 | 8 | 146 | 26 | 19 | 0 |
| First-Class (FC) | 265 | 439 | 37 | 19521 | 311 | 48.55 | β | β | 57 | 93 | β | β | 192 | 0 |
| List A | 247 | 240 | 16 | 10020 | 159 | 44.73 | β | β | 30 | 52 | β | β | 108 | 0 |
| T20s (All) | 164 | 163 | 15 | 4563 | 104 | 30.83 | 3620 | 126.04 | 2 | 30 | 481 | 96 | 39 | 0 |
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 124 | 5 | 54 | 37 | 0 | β | β | β | 4.11 | β | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| ODIs | 181 | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β |
| T20Is | 44 | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β | β |
| First-Class (FC) | 265 | β | 393 | 277 | 1 | 1/10 | β | 277.00 | 4.22 | 393.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| List A | 247 | β | 16 | 28 | 0 | β | β | β | 10.50 | β | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20s (All) | 164 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 | β | β | β | 15.00 | β | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Hashim Amla’s talent was not limited to international cricket. He was a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2016 and 2017, representing Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab). Despite joining relatively late in his career, Amla left a strong mark.
In the 2017 IPL season, he scored two centuries and was among the top six run-scorers that year. His ability to adapt classical strokes to the T20 format earned him widespread acclaim.
Apart from the IPL, Amla has also played franchise and domestic cricket around the world:
These teams helped him gain experience in different conditions and formats while showcasing his adaptability as a batsman.
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Hashim Amla led the South African Test team from 2014 to 2016, replacing Graeme Smith. His leadership style was one of humility, calm and focus. Despite being soft-spoken, he was highly respected in the dressing room.
South Africa performed well under his captaincy. However, he stepped down after the series against England in 2016, stating that he wanted to focus more on his batting.
Off the field, Hashim Amla is known for his humility and deep spirituality. He is a practicing Muslim and was one of the few cricketers who refused to wear team jerseys displaying liquor logos due to his religious beliefs. A decision that earned him respect in the cricketing world.
Amla is married to Sumaiya Amla, and the couple has children. He is known to keep his personal life private, instead focusing on family and community work.
Hashim Amla’s net worth is estimated to be between 5 and 50 million USD, derived from his cricketing earnings, endorsements, and investments.
Despite his wealth, Amla lives a simple and disciplined lifestyle, staying true to his values.
Hashim Amla announced his retirement from international cricket in 2019 and later retired from all forms of cricket in 2023. After retirement, he transitioned into coaching. Amla served as a batting consultant for various teams, including Surrey County Cricket Club. He also participated in Legends League Cricket, representing South Africa Masters and World Giants. His calm, analytical approach to batting makes him a respected mentor among young cricketers.
Hashim Amla’s journey from Durban to cricketing greatness is an inspiring story of discipline and determination. He proved that strength is not everything and time, patience and class can conquer even the best bowlers in the world. With bat in hand and composure in his heart, Hashim Amla became a symbol of grandeur and integrity in the gentleman’s game.
Hashim Amla made his Test cricket debut against India at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 28, 2004. He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh on March 9, 2008 and T20I debut against Australia on January 13, 2009.
Amla represented Punjab Kings (formerly Kings XI Punjab) in the Indian Premier League during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. In 2017, he scored two centuries and was among the tournament’s top run-scorers.