Hashim Amla reveals why he feels Ramadan is the best month of the year

He was not an automatic selection for the South African World Cup squad this year. At 36, Hashim Amla was also facing that eternal question of whether form slides with age. All the hard work he had put in South African cricket for a decade and a half seemed to have become meaningless.

However, Amla managed to earn a berth in the final count and will now play his third and final World Cup. The talented right-hand batsman scored the fifties in both the warm-up games that the Proteas played before the tournament begins and that gives the impression that Amla is ready to make full use of the opportunity that has come his way.

Another factor that could go Amla’s way is that he will be taking stances in the World Cup during the holy month of Ramadan. According to him, the fasting that he will undertake during this time is a “great mental and spiritual exercise”. Starting May 6, Muslims around the world with some exceptions are undergoing fast from sunrise to sunset for a month.

Hashim Amla "fasting is something I always look forward to and it's the best month of the year for me" #CWC19 #Ramadan pic.twitter.com/usvgzkJ0jM

— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) May 28, 2019

Speaking to the press following South Africa’s abandoned warm-up game against the West Indies in Bristol on May 26, Amla said: “Fasting is something I always look forward to. This is the best month of the year. And whenever we are playing cricket during that time, especially during the training sessions, physically yes you do feel thirsty and hungry, but for me, it is a great mental exercise. Most importantly, it is a great spiritual exercise.”

Amla scored fifties in both the warm-up games

Amla scored 65 off 61 balls in the first warm-up game against Sri Lanka in Cardiff on May 24 which the Proteas won by 87 runs. The second game against the West Indies also looked bright for the South Africans as they were 95 for no loss in the 13th over with Amla batting on 51 not out in 46 balls and Quinton de Kock on 37 not out off 30 balls. However, rain intervened to leave the match without a result.

Amla will now be facing England bowlers as his side launches its World Cup campaign against the hosts at the Kennington Oval on Thursday.