Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla. Credit: Getty Images

Former South Africa batsman Hashim Amla turned 37 years old on Tuesday (March 31). The batting legend retired from international cricket last year soon after the end of the World Cup but has been active at domestic level. Hashim Amla is one of the greatest batsmen to have played for South Africa.

He is the Proteas’ second-highest Test run scorer with 9,282 runs in 124 matches at an average of 46.64 with 28 centuries. The right-handed batsman is the only South Africa batsman to score a Test triple hundred. He also led the team between 2014 and 2016.

Hashim Amla was prolific in ODIs too. He scored 27 ODI centuries, the most by a South Africa batsman, and scored 8,113 runs at an average of 49.46 in the format. Overall, he scored more than 18,000 runs across all formats for South Africa with 55 centuries in 349 matches.

Hashim Amla
Hashim Amla (Credits: Twitter)

Toughest bowler faced by Hashim Amla:

During his illustrious international career, Hashim Amla faced a host of legendary fast-bowlers and spinners. And he rates former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Asif as the toughest of them all. Hashim Amla was recently asked to name the toughest bowler he has faced and he picked the tainted Pakistan bowler.

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“The best bowler I’ve ever faced is Mohammad Asif. His accuracy was amazing. With the new ball, he moved it both ways and every ball felt like a question that could get you out. I found him to be an amazing bowler,” said Hashim Amla in an interview for Peshawar Zalmi.

Mohammad Asif
Mohammed Asif (Credits – AFP)

Hashim Amla is not the first bowler to praise Asif. The former Pakistan pacer was indeed a very talented bowler but controversy brought a premature end to his promising career. He was tested positive for steroids twice. And in 2010, his career came to an end when he was charged with spot-fixing during the England tour. Asif represented Pakistan in over 70 games and picked up a total of 165 wickets.

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