Hashim Amla was a special name in South African cricket. Around two months ago, Amla announced his retirement from international cricket. Now, he is reportedly going to sign the Kolpak deal.
Kolpak has surely hit the South African cricket massively in recent times. Some great talented South African players have prematurely ended their international career for South Africa due to the Kolpak deal. The lack of proper opportunities in South African cricket is one of the major reasons why some top South African cricketers have signed this deal.
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Hashim Amla is likely becoming the next former South African cricketer to sign the Kolpak deal. The 36-year-old has already retired from international cricket. He announced his retirement from international cricket in last August, after the conclusion of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 in England and Wales.
ESPNcricinfo has recently reported that Surrey County Cricket Club is likely to offer him a two-year contract. Notably, Surrey has already a Kolpak player – former South African pacer Morne Morkel.
The report has further added that the club is hoping to finalise this deal in this week before the Brexit day arrives. The latest deadline for Brexit is on 31st October 2019. If Brexit happens, then the Kolpak deals may not be possible.
ESPNcricinfo has also further added that Middlesex and Hampshire have also shown their interest on Hashim Amla.
Hashim Amla had rich records in international career
Former South African cricketer Hashim Amla played 124 Tests, 181 ODIs and 44 T20Is. The right-handed batsman scored 9,282 Test runs (average 46.64), 8,113 ODI runs (49.46) and 1,277 T20I runs (average 33.60). He is South Africa’s second-most Test run-scorer and third most international run-scorer. Amla is the only triple-centurion for South Africa in Test cricket history.
Hashim Amla last played in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. He scored 203 runs in seven innings (average 40.60) during that tournament. Though he scored two half-centuries and also had a very good batting average, he was mostly inconsistent. Meanwhile, the entire South African team also disappointed in that tournament as they finished in the seventh position.