Hashim Amla Biography And Images-Photos

 Hashim Mahomed Amla (born 31 March 1983 in Durban) is a South African cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-pace bowler. In November 2004, Amla became the first South African team player of Indian descent. His grandparents, who emigrated to South Africa many years ago, hail from Surat, which is located in the Indian state of Gujarat. He is also a devout Muslim, which has led to campaigns to remove all alcohol-promoting logos from merchandise and playing gear. He objected to the advert for Castle Lager beer on the South African team kit and has been allowed to wear a shirt without the logo of a brand of South African Breweries, one of South African cricket's biggest sponsors. Amla captained South Africa at the 2002 under-19s Cricket World Cup. As a Test batsman he found the initial going difficult, and his technique was criticised after he made just 36 runs in the 2004 series against England. But he proved his critics wrong in 2006 as he scored a comeback 149 against New Zealand at Cape Town, helping guide South Africa to a draw. On 27 March 2008, he scored a record 159 not out against India.