Hashim Amla

Making his debut at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on 28 November 2004, he initially made a slow start to his career, with his technique having been criticized after scoring 36 runs in the 2004 series against England. After honing his technique and working on his skills with the Dolphins, for whom he regularly top-scored in the South African domestic circuit, he proved his critics wrong in 2006 as he scored a comeback 149 against New Zealand at Newlands, Cape Town, helping guide South Africa to a match-saving draw. He subsequently continued this success, earning a national contract and scoring 1599 runs at an average of 57.10 in his next 19 Tests, solidifying his position as South Africa's regular number 3 batsman. On 27 March 2008, he scored an unbeaten 159 against India in Chennai amidst searing conditions. His success throughout the 2008 year, in which he scored 1012 runs, consisted of numerous centuries and solid performances against India, England and Australia. During South Africa's 2009 tour of Australia, Amla helped South Africa win a historic Test and one day series victory over Australia, scoring 259 runs at an average of 51.80 during the Tests and contributing crucial scores in the one day series, including a match-winning 80 in the series clincher.

During a Test match between South Africa and Sri Lanka on 7 August 2006, Australian TEN Sports commentator Dean Jones referred to Amla as a "terrorist" he had taken a catch; after incorrectly assuming that broadcasting switched to a commercial break, he said, "The terrorist gets another wicket". The broadcast was aired around the world, including South Africa, and Jones was widely condemned by South African fans, players and several former cricketers and commentators, leading to the channel terminating its contract with Jones. After the incident, Jones reportedly apologized to Amla, stating that his comments were never "supposed to be heard over the air", which he accepted.

Amla has had four spells playing county cricket in England, for Essex in 2009, Nottinghamshire in 2010, Surrey in 2013 and Derbyshire in 2015. In April 2009, he was signed by Essex as their overseas player for a portion of the 2009 English county season, as a short-term replacement for Danish Kaneria. During his stay at the club, he scored two centuries in two Championship matches, including a match-saving 181 on his debut, the highest score by an Essex debutant, as well as 111 runs off 107 in his first Pro40 match, against Sussex. Essex fans had warmed to him throughout his stay, affectionately calling him "W. G." in reference to W. G. Grace.

Amla started 2010 in February with a two-match Test series against India in India. In the first Test he scored 253* as South Africa reached 558. After this a superb bowling performance from Dale Steyn meant that India were bowled out for 233 with Steyn bagging seven wickets. India were bowled out for 319 after being forced to follow-on as South Africa won by an innings and six runs. In the second Test match Amla made 114 before being caught by MS Dhoni. Despite Amla's century the remaining South African batting order could only manage 296. India batted and scored 643 with centuries from Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni. The South African chase collapsed poorly but Amla still managed another century scoring 123* as South Africa were bowled out for 290 and crashed to an innings defeat. After this Amla toured the West Indies for 5 ODIs and three Test matches. Amla top-scored in the first ODI with 102 as South Africa coasted to a comfortable victory. He followed this up with 92 in the second ODI as South Africa again sealed a 17 run victory. In the third ODI, Amla scored 30, but in the fourth ODI he returned with a century by scoring 129 off 115 balls. He made 45 in the fifth and final ODI before he was run-out by Kieron Pollard as South Africa won narrowly by one wicket.

For his performances in 2010 and 2011, he was named in the World Test XI by the ICC.

For his performances in 2012, he was named in the World Test XI by the ICC and Cricinfo. He was also named in the ODI XI of the year by Cricinfo.

Upon graduating from Durban High School and impressing on the youth circuit, Amla made his debut for his provincial team, the KwaZulu-Natal Dolphins, soon captaining South Africa at the 2002 Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, leading his team to the final. During his formative years, former Western Province captain and coach Hylton Ackerman had been influential in Amla's development, first spotting his talent and honing his skills during his coaching career. His promise led him to being appointed captain of KwaZulu-Natal at the young age of 21. Amla was cited as a future captain of South Africa ever since his first-class years. Amla moved from the Dolphins to Cape Cobras in 2013.

During bilateral series against New Zealand in January 2013, Amla was requested to lead the team due to suspension of regular captain AB de Villiers for 2 matches due to slow overrate, that Amla declined requesting to be left to "concentrate on his batting". In August 2013, it was announced that Amla had signed for Surrey, for whom he made a limited number of appearances in domestic matches.

For his performances in 2013, he was named both in the World Test XI and ODI XI by the ICC. He was also named in the Test XI for 2013 by Cricinfo.

In June 2014, Amla became South Africa's first permanent non-white Test captain (although Ashwell Prince had it temporarily), ahead of the Sri Lanka tour following Graeme Smith's retirement. Amla captained his side to a historic victory against Sri Lanka in his first Test series as captain. He continued to make domestic appearances for Surrey when other commitments allowed.

In January 2015, he was named man of the series in a bilateral series against the West Indies. In August 2015, he was named man of the match against New Zealand for his match winning century. He was included in the Boland cricket team squad for the 2015 Africa T20 Cup.

For his performances in 2015, he was named in the World ODI XI by ICC.

In January 2016, Amla stepped down as South Africa captain following a drawn Test against England at Newlands. This was preceded by his poor run of form and his team's poor performance against India in November 2015. His team lost the first Test against England in the home series. The second Test, the one after which Amla announced his resignation, ended in a draw after a double hundred from the South African captain.

During the third Test against Sri Lanka on 12 January 2017, Amla played his 100th Test, becoming the 8th South African to play 100 Test matches. By ending 9 innings without a fifty in recent Test tours, Amla finally scored his 26th century in his 100th match and regained his Test average over 50 as well. With that century, Amla became the 8th Test player overall and 2nd South African after Graeme Smith to score a century in their 100th Test. After playing 100 Test matches he got the title (#Mighty hash).

In August 2017, he was named in a World XI side to play three Twenty20 International matches against Pakistan in the 2017 Independence Cup in Lahore.

In the 2018 IPL auction, Amla went unsold in spite of making 577 runs with 2 centuries at an average of 44.38.

In October 2018, he was named in Durban Heat's squad for the first edition of the Mzansi Super League Twenty20 tournament.

In April 2019, he was named in South Africa's squad for the 2019 Cricket World Cup. On 19 June 2019, in the match against New Zealand, Amla became the second-fastest batsman, in terms of innings, to score 8,000 runs in ODIs, do so in his 176th innings.

On 8 August 2019, Amla announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. After the retirement from the internal cricket, Hashim Amla is all set to sign for English county club Surrey with Kolpak registration.

In January 2020, Pakistan Super League franchise Peshawar Zalmi signed Amla as team's batting mentor for the 2020 season.