NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Mohammed Hafeez has stood by his comments during last year’s ICC ODI World Cup where he called Virat Kohli “selfish”.
In the World Cup against South Africa, Virat Kohli scored 101 runs off 121 balls at a strike rate of 83.47. Though he hit 10 fours and no sixes, his performance drew criticism from Hafeez.
T20 World Cup: Schedule | Points Table
Recently, while speaking on Club Prairie Fire podcast, Hafeez commented, “Looking at the overall situation, I think I was right then. For me, it doesn’t matter who is playing. The intention and the way you play should always be to win the match. But if a player in his 90s is hesitant to take big shots, I don’t accept it. After 95, if it takes you five balls to reach 100 and your intention changes after scoring 100, why can’t you take the same shots you did when you were at 95 or 92? For me, the intention should always be the same – to add the highest possible value to your team’s victory.”
“So, I felt Virat used too many balls to reach his hundred and he didn’t take any big shots. Rewatch his hundred and you might understand what I’m saying. Personal milestones should be secondary to team success. As a cricket fan, I don’t appreciate fifties or hundreds that are not for winning. In cricket, even one run can make a big difference,” Hafeez added.
Kohli is currently preparing for the opening Super 8 match against Afghanistan at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.
His performances in recent tournaments have been dismal, with scores of 1, 4 and 0 in consecutive matches, raising doubts about his form.
With the tournament now moving from the US to the Caribbean, Kohli will be hoping for a change in fortunes.
In the World Cup against South Africa, Virat Kohli scored 101 runs off 121 balls at a strike rate of 83.47. Though he hit 10 fours and no sixes, his performance drew criticism from Hafeez.
T20 World Cup: Schedule | Points Table
Recently, while speaking on Club Prairie Fire podcast, Hafeez commented, “Looking at the overall situation, I think I was right then. For me, it doesn’t matter who is playing. The intention and the way you play should always be to win the match. But if a player in his 90s is hesitant to take big shots, I don’t accept it. After 95, if it takes you five balls to reach 100 and your intention changes after scoring 100, why can’t you take the same shots you did when you were at 95 or 92? For me, the intention should always be the same – to add the highest possible value to your team’s victory.”
“So, I felt Virat used too many balls to reach his hundred and he didn’t take any big shots. Rewatch his hundred and you might understand what I’m saying. Personal milestones should be secondary to team success. As a cricket fan, I don’t appreciate fifties or hundreds that are not for winning. In cricket, even one run can make a big difference,” Hafeez added.
Kohli is currently preparing for the opening Super 8 match against Afghanistan at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.
His performances in recent tournaments have been dismal, with scores of 1, 4 and 0 in consecutive matches, raising doubts about his form.
With the tournament now moving from the US to the Caribbean, Kohli will be hoping for a change in fortunes.
