Cricket World Cup: Mohammad Hafeez calls Virat Kohli selfish, Wahab Riaz disagrees | Cricket-world-cup News
Former Pakan captain Mohammad Hafeez criticised Virat Kohli for batting and slowly and playing for his individual milestones after India’s comfortable 243-run win over South Africa at the Eden Gardens.
Virat Kohli celebrated his 35th birthday in style as he hit a record-equaling 49th ODI hundred to help India smash South Africa 243 runs at the Cricket World Cup on Sunday. Kohli scored 101 not out off 121 balls — to move level in the all-time ODI ton table with his batting idol Sachin Tendulkar.
“I saw sense of selfishness in Virat Kohli’s batting and this happened for the third time in this World Cup. In the 49th over, he was looking to take a single to reach his own hundred and he didn’t put the team first,” Hafeez said on a cricket show ‘Top Cricket Analysis.’
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Hafeez said Virat should look at Rohit Sharma, who is sacrificing for his tea,
“Rohit Sharma could have played selfish cricket too, but he didn’t because he is playing for Team India and not for himself,” he said.
“You have to give credit to Rohit Sharma. The way he is sacrificing his innings with right intent is commendable. The way he batted in the first six overs. He gave that sucker punch to South Africa. He knew pitch will get difficult and must attack when the ball is new and hard. Your captain can also play like you but his goal is bigger than his personal achievement. Rohit can also hit centuries.
“I am not saying Virat didn’t played well. He batted beautifully till he reached 97. The last three singles, he took, I am talking about the intent. He was looking for singles instead of hitting boundaries. Who cares if he gets out on 97 or 99. Team should always be above than personal milestone,” said Hafeez.
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Former Pakan pacer Wahab Riaz disagreed with Hafeez and said, the role has been defined to each one of them. Most Read
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“I disagree. The role is defined differently. Virat’s role is to take the game deep. In the last eight overs India scored 75 runs. Surya and Jadeja played fast but Kohli made sure that he is there at other end. if Kohli would have got out, we would have not seen those two cameos and India might not have crossed the 300-run mark,” said Riaz.
“We talk about role identification. Rohit and Shubman are going all guns blazing up front. Then Virat plays the sheet anchor role, taking game deep. If Rohit and Shubman gets out early, Shreyas’ will be the aggressor, Kohli and KL Rahul will bat through. It is very clear. yes Kohli batted slowly but if not for him, India would not have posted 326,” he said.
Former Pakan captain Rashid Latif agreed with Wahab Riaz and said: “His role is to stay there. No matter how many balls he is facing. You see the partnerships, he has played the second fiddle but that’s his role. The others bats around him.”
