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AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla created a legendary opening partnership that left an indelible mark on South African cricket. In this article, we explore 20 fascinating facts about their legacy as openers, highlighting their contributions, statistics, and unforgettable moments on the field.1
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AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla formed one of South Africa's most successful batting partnerships in ODIs, known for their aggressive yet consistent starts at the top of the order.
Hashim Amla, a retired cricketer, represented South Africa for 15 years. He scored 28 centuries in Test matches and 27 in One Day Internationals (ODIs). His remarkable consistency made him one of South Africa's finest batsmen. 1
De Villiers has scored 22 Test and 25 ODI centuries, with his first Test century coming against England in 2005 and his first ODI century against West Indies in 2007. He also holds the world record for the fastest 100 and 150 in ODIs. 2
Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers attempted to save the fourth Test against India with an ultra-defensive partnership, scoring 27 runs off 253 balls. Amla scored 25 off 244 balls, while de Villiers made 43 off 297 balls. 3
The duo's most memorable partnership came against the West Indies in January 2015, when they put on 247 runs for the second wicket in Johannesburg, helping South Africa post a huge total.
Both players possessed contrasting styles, with Amla known for his calm, technical play and de Villiers for his unorthodox and explosive hitting, making them a perfect match at the crease. 4
In the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, their partnerships helped South Africa reach the semi-finals, with both players contributing significantly to the team's strong batting line-up. 5
AB de Villiers holds the record for the fastest century in ODI cricket, achieved in just 31 balls, and this explosive ability often complemented Amla's more measured approach during their stands. 6
Amla and de Villiers combined to score more than 3,000 runs together in ODIs, with an impressive average of over 50 runs per partnership, underlining their dominance. 7
Hashim Amla was the first South African to score a triple century in Test cricket, and his ability to anchor innings helped build a strong foundation for de Villiers’ aggressive stroke play.
Both players were regarded as part of South Africa's "Golden Generation" of cricketers, excelling not only in bilateral series but also in major ICC tournaments during their careers. 8
In their partnerships, Amla often played the role of a steady accumulator, while de Villiers took on the role of the aggressor, with both players understanding each other's strengths seamlessly. 9
Together, they helped South Africa achieve several notable wins, including their famous 438-run chase against Australia in 2006, a match in which de Villiers played a crucial role.10
Despite their retirement from international cricket, their legacy as one of South Africa's most successful batting pairs remains intact, inspiring future generations of cricketers. 11
Since 2012, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers have amassed 1,526 partnership runs, the only pair to surpass 1,500 runs in that period. They averaged 73 runs per partnership and recorded 13 fifty-plus stands. 12
