SA v PAK 2018-19: “Selfish” Hashim Amla breaks another ODI record of Virat Kohli; Twitter criticizes his knock

Hashim Amla remained unbeaten on 108*, but SA managed just 266/2 in 50 overs.

South African batsman Hashim Amla starred for his team with a brilliant century, which was also his 27^th in ODIs.

During this innings, Amla broke the record of Virat Kohli to become the fastest to 27 ODI tons, as his hundred came in 167^th innings, as compared to Kohli’s 169 innings. However, Kohli, who has scored 39 centuries in ODIs so far, had scored his 27^th ODI ton way back in 2017.

Amla made 108 in 120 balls, but that couldn’t help from Pakistan winning the ODI by five wickets, as they comfortably chased down the 267-run target in Port Elizabeth.

Hashim Amla also received criticism for his knock, as Amla added 155 runs for the second wicket along with debutant Rassie van der Dussen, who made 93; but the hosts could only put up 266 runs in their 50 overs.

 South Africa's total became the lowest total in a 50-over match after losing only two wickets since the 1992 World Cup. Amla made 108*, but South Africa were able to add only 106 runs in their last 15 overs, failing to get the big push in the death overs.

Former Proteas cricketer Herschelle Gibbs chastised Amla for his innings and fans called him selfish.

"We were 10-15 runs short. The foundation was good but we could not add those extra runs in the end. They batted really well. These games are all about learning for us. We have had a great couple of weeks but today was a great learning curve for us," Du Plessis defended Amla.

He added: "In-form Hashim is really important for us. Amla showed intent from the starting for us and his innings is a positive for us. They bowled really well in the middle overs. They bowled better than us in that phase."

(inputs indiatoday.in)