Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has criticized Virat Kohli, accusing him of being “selfish” during one of his centuries in the 2023 ODI World Cup. Kohli, who was the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 765 runs, was instrumental in India’s unbeaten run until the final, where they lost to Australia.
Hafeez’s comments stem from Kohli’s unbeaten 101 off 121 balls against South Africa. Hafeez claimed Kohli was more focused on reaching his century than the team’s needs. “In the 49th over, he was looking to take a single to reach his own hundred and didn’t put the team first,” Hafeez said during a cricket show. He reiterated his views on the Club Prairie Fire podcast with Michael Vaughan and Adam Gilchrist, stating, “If someone stops himself from playing big shots in the 90s… I will never take it.”
Hafeez suggested that personal milestones should not overshadow team performance. He emphasized, “Personal milestones should go away from the game. Your fifty, hundred, five wickets… we don’t want that as fans of cricket if it doesn’t contribute to a winning cause. Even one run can matter.”
Kohli’s century against South Africa had drawn mixed reactions, with Hafeez asserting that Kohli’s slowed pace near his hundred reflected poorly on his intent.
