Hash retires from International Cricket. What a journey. Watta Man. The excitement in the Masjids when he went out to Bat. All the best Hash. You are a Legend. I’ll never forget the day I met him I was 5 minutes away from meeting Hashim Amla. Three of us went down and we waited at the Hotels coffee shop. Minutes later a well built lad strolled in….Totally relaxed wearing long shorts and sandals and obviously the distinct beard and a pair of specs. He approached us as I waved and sat down. It was as if we knew Hash for many years. I sat in awe as we chatted for a full hour and sipped on tea. I mean here was a man that has reached the pinnacle of his sport and yet he was the most humble human being ever. Weve never met him but yet he has given us the time of day and attention that we so craved. We chatted about cricket and the journey. I asked Hash so many questions and I kept on processing questions in my head as if to not say the wrong thing. But here was a south african sportsman focused and so mentally strong and humble as ever. People that passed by took note of him as we sat,some waved,kids came over for a autograph. I dunno hey,Hash just exudes this ambiance and peace about him. Im sure some of you have met him and can relate…..But there is indeed something special about Hashim Amla.From the moment you meet him. And this made me stress alot more. I mean now that I knew him I didnt want it to stop there.I wanted this friendship to continue.And more so I wanted to be around Hashim Amla from a cricketing and personal perspective. After an hour we said salaams and We said “Hash give us a century tomorrow”. Hash responded and said “Insha allah.If God wills”. He was under a bit of pressure as he needed a 100 after back to back failures. And in my heart I wanted this remarkable man to score a great 100. For so many reasons,some political,some because of the hardship muslim and Indian sportsman endued in the past because of apartheid and lack of opportunity. That evening we chatted on sms and with regards to the conversation we ended up at Newlands on a boiling hot day…. More onTHE DAY I MET HASHIM AMLA http://swoosh0018.com/?p=3453