- First Muslim to make it to the South African national cricket team. At the age of 21 he was the first non-white captain to the South African provincial team KwaZulu-Natal . He also captained the South African team at the under-19 World Cup in 2002.
[thumb=H]scmala262848_5184458.JPG[/thumb]
Check out that daari!
Amla has the will to succeed
By Neil Manthorp
(Filed: 26/12/2004)
It is hard not to like Hashim Amla. The 21-year-old right-hander with the best beard in world cricket will bat at No 5 or six for South Africa in the second Test against England on his home ground at Kingsmead today with a mighty weight of popular support behind him.
A third generation South African following the emigration of his grandparents from the Indian state of Gujarat in 1926, ‘Hash’ instantly won the hearts of the ‘beer and boerewors’ brigade with his proclamation that “my blood runs with the green of South Africa” after his debut selection for the tour of India last month. No conflict of interests there, then.
From 150 yards, with a helmet on, the most striking things about Amla the batsman are the way he crouches as the bowler runs in and the way he flicks with such regular success through the leg side.
He may be three generations out of India but some things take a little longer than 80 years to work their way through the system and his hands are reminiscent of any of the great masters, from Gavaskar to Azharuddin and Tendulkar.
But in the field, and certainly face-to-face, it is hard to see beyond the beard. “You know, it’s quite incredible how few people have asked me about it directly,” he said with a chuckle.
“Maybe it’s because people don’t understand and are embarrassed to ask, and also I’m aware that some people may feel intimidated because of the terrible things that have happened with terrorists and the association with Islam.”
He is aware of the victimisation some Muslims have suffered in Western countries but he has yet to feel or suffer the resentment others have. So we talk about the beard, unashamed of our ignorance.
“I am following in the footsteps of all messengers that God sent to earth, the last being the Prophet Mohammed, praise be to him. Their practice was to wear a full beard as a sign of humility. I just want to be true to the faith of Islam and be a good Muslim,” he said.
Does it ever itch under the chin strap of his helmet?
“No, not at all. And in the field it’s a particular bonus because it saves me quite a bit of money in sun screen!”
On debut in Calcutta last month Amla received a poor decision in the second innings as South Africa slid to a series defeat. Does his faith allow him to feel the same frustration as a secular batsman, or is it simply ‘God’s will’?
"That’s like saying a Muslim can tie a blindfold around his eyes and go walking on the highway believing that a car will hit him if it’s God’s will.
“That would be suicide and that is completely outlawed in Islam. No, of course I get frustrated and my answer is to train and practise an extra 130 per cent. But ultimately, if you have done everything in your power to control your own destiny, and things are still out of your control, then whose will is it other than God’s?”
As a role model for the million-strong Indian community in Durban, and a likely future South African captain (even though Graeme Smith is only two years older), he has a lot on his plate. Overwhelming sometimes?
"Please, it is a privilege, not a chore. I am ecstatic about being someone young Indian-South African cricketers can aspire to, and I do my best to be true to my faith and to be the best Muslim I can. I have never, ever forced my beliefs or my faith on to anyone and I never will. If I inspire people to find out more about Islam then that would be wonderful.
“As for the captaincy, that’s a very long way off - if it ever happens. But I love captaining. It adds to my appreciation of what I am blessed enough to do for a living,” Amla said.
He lives his life as humbly as possible. He even “humbly requested” to wear a shirt without the badge of South Africa’s main sponsors, Castle Lager, because of the clash with Islamic principles.
But he also has a sharp sense of humour and, as England may find if they decide to take him on with a bit of verbal gamesmanship, a ruthless streak that translates into a fierce and unwilting determination.
And just in case anyone was wondering whether his colour contributed to his selection, they need look no further that the four centuries he scored in the first five first-class games of this season and an overall first-class average of 48.24.
