Hashim Amla’s twin failures in first Test vs Sri Lanka earns backlash from fans

He has been one of South Africa’s best batsmen with over fifty international hundreds. But since sports is a brutal domain that seeks even the best to continuously prove their greatness irrespective of the human factor of ageing and slowing, even Hashim Amla hasn’t found an escape route. The 35-year-old failed once again by scoring 3 and 16 in the two innings in the ongoing first Test against Sri Lanka in Durban.

Amla is having a particularly lean phase and averaged less than 24 in 10 Tests before the arrival of Pakistan for a full-fledged tour recently. He hit a couple of fifties in the three-Test series against the Asians before slamming a welcome hundred and a fifty in the five-ODI series following that. He averaged 52.25 in three Tests and 53.50 in five ODIs against Pakistan but as they say, a batsman is as good as his last game and Amla’s failure against an ordinary Sri Lanka side in the first Test has fuelled his critics again.

Will Amla get to play his third and probably final World Cup in England?

It is still not known whether Amla will eventually play in what seems to be his final World Cup (he has played two – 2011 and 2015) but as one of SA’s most accomplished players in the 50-over format with the most number of centuries (27), the Proteas will definitely like him to feature in their XI.

Amla also had a low run for Durban Heat in South Africa’s domestic Mzansi Super League t20 tournament in which he managed just 24 runs in seven innings and also had issues with fitness after breaking a finger at the Caribbean Premier League last September where also his bat didn’t speak much. Overall, Amla now faces with a real challenge and the fans are not too impressed with the roller coaster ride and also seeking his retirement.

Here are some of the reactions on Twitter

Hashim Amla hasn't scored a Test hundred since October 2017 (vs BAN) and now averages fewer than 47…if he thinks about his team then he should announce his retirement otherwise he'll get humiliated more and more…next Test series are vs IND (in IND) and vs ENG @ home#SAvSL

— JSK (@imjsk27) February 14, 2019

Mr Hashim Amla, it's time………..#SAvSL @OfficialCSA

— SOTOBE (@siyasibiya_) February 14, 2019

Just a question…has Hashim Amla lost his magic……

— Ian Barber (@IanBarb09009892) February 14, 2019

Said it time and again, Hashim Amla needs to be dropped from the side but he won't be because at his age he'll never be selected again. Living off former glories. He is past it!

— Tim🔰 (@TimKellyRSA) February 14, 2019

DROP AMLA!

— Tim🔰 (@TimKellyRSA) February 14, 2019

I personally thought he'll do well at 4. I was one of the people who wanted him up the order. But clearly he's not ready.
& we both know if Hamza comes in..it will be for him instead of Amla.

Matter of fact i don't think they'll drop anyone in the 2nd test, for obvious reasons

— 3rd August❤ (@_Milli__) February 14, 2019

Hashim Amla has been great servant for South African cricket but to me he looks so out of touch from the game. He has looked weary on the field and dropped catches as well.

— BANGMAN789 (@Believernow1987) February 14, 2019

What happened to Amla 😞

— Cricket Surgeon (@Khan04544019) February 14, 2019

May be time for Zubayr Hamza to play in Port Elizabeth and let Amla rest for the final game if we win this one

— BANGMAN789 (@Believernow1987) February 14, 2019

Amla should have retired while still playing some decent cricket

— NANDE (@Nandetron) February 14, 2019

It's now become difficult to defend Amla. It's time to give someone that position

— zee mthimunye (@zeezinhle) February 14, 2019

I hope by the time Amla retires his average doesn't drop to below 45 pic.twitter.com/yYGl5Ex1Vd

— Petri van Zyl (@Petrivz) February 14, 2019

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