South Africa will square off against hosts England in the opening encounter of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Considering the pool of talent that is scheduled to feature in the match, cricket fans are in for a treat. Proteas opening batsman Hashim Amla, however, has an opportunity to register a major individual record currently held by Virat Kohli.
Amla who currently is the fastest batsman in the world to reach to 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 ODI runs, is just 90 runs away from the 8000 run mark. Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers and Herschelle Gibbs are the only other three South African players to have scored 8000 or more runs in ODI cricket.
The South African opener has currently played 171 matches, whereas Kohli reached to his 8000 runs in 175 matches. So Alma still has an out-and-out chance to topple Kohli and claim the record.
The 36-years old Amla will be looking to regain his lost touch in the penultimate tournament, as this possibly will be the last time he is going to feature in a South African World Cup side in this format. Hence, he will hope to contribute for his side in an attempt to aid the Proteas in clinching their maiden ICC trophy.
