Proteas new-comer Zubayr Hamza feels he can't be like his idol Hashim Amla

Zubayr Hamza, the 23-year-old Cape Cobras batsman, enjoyed an outstanding season scoring 828 runs at an average of 69 with three centuries. He got the reward for his standout performance in domestic cricket with a call-up into the South Africa A squad and has carried that form into the A team tour to India. Hamza averaged over 50 in the four-day series and that earned him a national call-up for the three-match Test series against Pakistan that started on 26th of December.

Hashim Amla one of the most successful openers for the Proteas will turn 36 next March and considering his waning prowess, Cricket South Africa is scouting a replacement for him. Considering Zubayr Hamza’s performance he might as well be seen as a long-term replacement for Amla in the team. The chief selector Linda Zondi admitted that Hamza’s selection is a part of their future vision and is a new player who has been introduced in the system.

Part of the future vision

“His selection is part of our vision for the future as we start to feed new players into the system. It is inevitable that some of our senior players will start thinking of retiring in years to come and it is vital that we have a good succession plan in place,” Zondi said.

Having been named in the 13-man squad for the Test series against Pakistan, the talented youngster will be eying an opportunity to prove himself. He is happy to be a part of the squad and wants to learn as much as he can. He also considers Amla as his cricketing idol but cannot be like him.

“I grew up idolising Hashim Amla. He has been a hero of mine for most of my life. Just to be spoken about in the same sentence as him is a great honour. I can only be Zubayr Hamza 1.0. I can’t go out and try and be like Hashim Amla. There will never be another player exactly like him. The way he scores runs, the way he hits the ball, his flourishing back-lift; he’s such a special player and human. If given the chance I will go out and be the best version of me that I can be,” the youngster was quoted as saying on Cricbuzz.

Hamza also credited his success to Ashwell Prince and said, “Ashwell has instilled the same values in me that made him so successful.”

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