Former captain AB de Villiers has joined several cricket personalities in congratulating Proteas batsman Hashim Amla on a prolific career. Amla retired from all forms of international cricket earlier this week.

Amla has retired as South Africa’s second- and third-highest run-scorer in Test and ODI cricket, respectively. He will remain available for selection in domestic cricket and play in the 2019 Mzansi Super League.

‘Unreal career, Hashim. So many doubted you early on, but your fighting spirit, humility and incredible one-of-a-kind talent took you to the top of the mountain. Ultimately you became one of the best players in the world and certainly I’ve ever seen. Congrats on an amazing career,’ De Villiers wrote on Instagram.

De Villiers, like Amla, debut for the Proteas in 2004. He retired from international competition a year earlier, though, and is currently involved in Middlesex’s T20 Blast campaign in the United Kingdom.

De Villiers was succeeded as captain by fellow batsman Faf du Plessis.

‘The father figure of our team. So much wisdom, so much humility, always a smile on your face and has been the rock of the batting line-up for as long as I can remember,’ said Du Plessis on Twitter.

‘Well done on your legendary career, bud. Thank you. We are definitely going to miss you.’

Photo: Gallo Images