I don't miss Test cricket: Hashim Amla

If you have to talk about one of the greatest Test batsmen of the recently ended decade, you have to say Hashim Amla's name. Amla scored 6695 runs at an average of almost 50 in Test cricket and he was brilliant in the other formats too. But Amla, who has arrived in Bangladesh to feature for Khulna Tigers in the Bangabandhu Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) T20 2019-20, has said that he does not miss Test cricket.

Amla retired from international cricket after the 2019 Cricket World Cup, where South Africa finished seventh. Amla said that everything has its time and he felt that he had played enough and does not miss international cricket. 

"No, I don't miss Test cricket as you get to a stage where you have played enough. I am happy and grateful. Certainly, whatever little value I can add with my experience, I enjoy sharing them. It's the next chapter and I don't miss international cricket one bit," the South African veteran said.

He further added, "After the world cup, I took some time and consulted with people close to me. Although there may still be a few years left in my body and I feel fresh and good to go, everything has its time. Everything has to move on and you have to stop at someplace."

He also added that he was blessed to play and love the game and fortunate to do what he loved doing.  

Even though Amla has been playing in various franchise leagues around the world, he had never featured in the BPL. This was his first venture in the tournament and he was very excited about the environment. 

"Obviously loving it to be in Bangladesh. Been here a few times over the years and always love the atmosphere, especially the cricket culture is fantastic and electrifying in the fields as well," Amla said. 

Amla opened up about how the deal happened too. He said, "After retirement, I was having a good time and playing a few T10 leagues here and there. Then I got a call from the Khulna Tigers and told them that I was available. Fortunately, there was a gap and happy to be here."

Asked if he had any memorable moments in Bangladesh, Amla joked about the record-breaking partnership of Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie which they made against Bangladesh. '

"When I came here for the first time in 2008, I made my ODI debut. In the Test series, Graeme Smith and Neil Mckenzie starred in a world record partnership and I was going to bat at number three and got pad rash from waiting with my pads on for so long," Amla chuckled.

Amla added that he was looking forward to working with Khulna skipper Mushfiqur Rahim and said that they had been playing against each other for more than 10 years, so they know each other well. 

"Mushfiq has done exceptionally well as a captain and as a player. Certainly, one of the best wicket-keeping batsman around. A handful has been around but he has been there the longest and has the most experience worldwide I think. He is a fantastic player and to interact with him and share our experience, I am sure we are both looking forward to it." 

Amla also added that he admired Shakib Al Hasan and Bangladesh ODI skipper Mashrafe Mortaza alongside Mushfiqur. 

Amla is likely to feature for Khulna for the first time on Friday as Khulna will take on Dhaka Platoon at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.