Cape Town - Australian batsman David Warner has praised Hashim Amla for smashing his maiden T20 century in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Thursday.
Amla hit an unbeaten 104 off 60 balls for the Kings XI Punjab against the Mumbai Indians, producing 8 fours and 6 sixes in Indore.
The Proteas batsman got his half-century off 34 balls and shared an 83-run partnership with skipper Glenn Maxwell (40).
However, after Maxwell's departure, it was Amla who had to carry the innings as he steered Punjab to a then-defendable total of 198 in their 20 overs.
Despite Amla's magnificent innings, hard-hitting England batsman Jos Buttler scored 77 off 37 balls to see the Mumbai Indians to a comfortable eight wicket victory with 27 balls remaining.
Amla is Punjab's highest run-getter and is third overall in the IPL as the highest run-scorer, making 234 runs in six games and he is only five behind Warner on 239 while the orange cap holder is Mumbai's Nitish Rana on 255.
Australian opener Warner took to Twitter to praise the Proteas batsman for his 'outstanding' innings on Thursday.
"Outstanding innings by @amlahash very well played," said Warner.
Former Indian great and commentator Ravi Shastri also lauded Amla's innings and wrote on Twitter that the wristy player played a "stunning innings" from a "even nicer bloke".
Outstanding innings by @amlahash very well played. ???????? ??
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) April 20, 2017
Stunning innings from a brilliant wristy player and an even nicer bloke - @amlahash @lionsdenkxip #IPL #KXIPvMI pic.twitter.com/JlBFaupiGT
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) April 20, 2017
Here are other reactions from cricketers following Amla's knock:
Hashim Aaaaaaaaamla??????What a player, what a champion! @amlahash @IPL
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) April 20, 2017
If you know the song sing it with me.. Hashim Hashim Hashim Hashim Hashim Hashim Hashim Amla....??????congrats legend @amlahash #104
— Morne Morkel (@mornemorkel65) April 20, 2017
@amlahash sooooooo good !! Wow what a knock legend .
— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) April 20, 2017
One of the finest innings I have seen for a great legend. Well played @amlahash
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) April 20, 2017
The mighty Hash... What a man... what a player!!! @amlahash #PureClass
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) April 20, 2017
Absolute class from @amlahash last night! It was amazing to watch from any seat in the house! Mumbai's chase was just as good. #ripbowlers
— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) April 21, 2017
How good was @amlahash last night?!!! Disappointing not to get the win but a long way to go in the tournament! On to Rajkot today! #KXIP
— Martin Guptill (@Martyguptill) April 21, 2017
What an inning by @amlahash ??????....played with so much ease !! Respect !! Sad that we cudnt cross the line tonight !! Well played #MI
— Mithun Manhas (@MithunManhas) April 20, 2017
Finished highlights in Indore...felt like book cricket 6-4-4-6-6..small ground..Top batting @amlahash @josbuttler @parthiv9 #Rana @mipaltan
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) April 20, 2017