Geoffrey Boycott must have been proud of Hashim Amla but Indian cricket fans are not. When the 32-year-old batsman walked on to the pitch on Sunday, little did the fans know what lay ahead.
Setting a new record of facing the most number of balls to score a single digit score, Hashim Amla managed to score six runs after facing 113 balls. The previous record was held by Aussie Carl Rackemann who scored nine runs off 102 balls.
Amla got off the mark after facing 40 odd balls after coming on to bat in the second innings of the last of the four match series. South Africa after winning the limited over series has already lost the series 2-0 thanks to the Indian spinners who have destroyed the South African batting lineup.
However, it is not the first time that Amla who had held the top spot in both ODI and Test batsmen ranking in 2013 is showcasing such defensive elan.
In 2012, he survived on the crease for 790 minutes against England to score 311 not out and won the match for the Proteas.
Many fans took to Twitter seemingly out of boredom to give us their take on Amla's innings. Here are some of the best ones.
Hashim Amla is playing so slow that IRCTC is consdering him as their Brand Ambassador
— Dharmesh (@dharmeshjhaveri) December 6, 2015
Hashim Amla trending faster than he is playing #HashimAmla
— Random Inquirer (@random_inquirer) December 6, 2015
Hashim Amla has scored 20 runs in 181 deliveries While Ab de Villiers has scored 3 runs in 58 deliveries Scintillating Cricket :D
— Abdullah Khan (@AbdullahKhanAFC) December 6, 2015
Hashim Amla. 20 runs off 170+ balls?!? I don't think even plucking out actual Amla's and making oil out of it will take so much time.
— Sojwal K (@Sojwal_) December 6, 2015
Scene from the ground when Hashim Amla is batting. pic.twitter.com/6K4SOzBZrM
— Spamnath Bharti (@attomeybharti) December 6, 2015
I usually don't play long, but when I do I make sure I retire after the match. - Hashim Amla.
— Yo Yo लाफ्टर Singh! (@Mocksterr) December 6, 2015
Someone please tell Hashim Amla that target is 481 runs not 481 balls
— Dilwala Doctor (@iamthemaulik) December 6, 2015
i started watching this inning after shaving ...right now my beard is somewhat like Hashim Amla ..
— faiz (@faiz_being_khan) December 6, 2015
How homeopathy works can be best understood by studying Hashim Amla's batting.
— Roflindian 2.0 (@Roflindian) December 6, 2015
Hashim Amla is so slow that even BSNL 3G network feels proud.
— NUSRAT SIDDIQUI (@NusratSiddiquee) December 6, 2015
now Number of balls played By Hashim Amla in this inning = total balls played by rohit sharma in his test carrier #IndvsSA
— कुछ भी (@Voice0fGod) December 6, 2015
Left: Hashim Amla at the start of this innings Right: Hashim Amla now pic.twitter.com/9bOpF8a7Xn
— I Give Up (@_MrAlBundy) December 6, 2015
Time passes extremely slow if you are high on Hash. There's Hash in Hashim ( Amla ) #IndvsSA
— Lame Monk (@oldschoolmonk) December 6, 2015
Spectators waiting for Hashim Amla to score first run :P pic.twitter.com/rWYboL2ylG
— Ratnesh Nagori (@ratneshnagori) December 6, 2015