Hashim Amla announces retirement from international cricket with immediate effect

South African star player Hashim Amla has announced retirement from international retirement with immediate effect. The prolific run-scorer will, however, continue to be available for domestic cricket and the Mzansi Super League.

The news was announced by Cricket South Africa in a tweet, on Thursday, that read, "Hashim Amlatoday called time on one of the great international careers of the modern era when he announced his retirement from all formats of international cricket. He will continue to be available for domestic cricket as well as the Mzansi Super League."

Amla, who is considered to be one of the modern-day batting greats, stood tall as South Africa's premier batsman for well over a decade. In an international career that spanned for about 15 years, the 36-year-old represented Proteas in 124 Tests, 181 ODIs and 44 T20Is. Among the many feats achieved in his glittering tenure as an international cricketer, Amla became the only South African to score a triple century in Test cricket. The elegant right-hander also holds the highest Test scores for his country against England, India, West Indies and Australia in the post-unity period.

In ODI cricket, Amla currently stands as the fastest cricketer to surpass the landmarks of 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 runs.

While Amla has reigned supreme as one of the greatest South African batsmen to have played the game, his form saw a dip of late, leading to criticism. Notably, the batsman recently drew flak for his patchy form in the recently concluded World Cup, wherein the Proteas crashed out of the tournament at an early stage.

Hashim Amla's decision to hang up his boots comes just a few days after his fellow teammate Dale Steyn announced retirement from the longer format of the game.