Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Amir has reacted to Mohammad Hafeez's comment where he criticised India's Virat Kohli for batting slowly and playing for his individual milestones during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 game against South Africa at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.
Virat Kohli celebrated his 35th birthday in style as he hit a record-equaling 49th ODI hundred to help India beat South Africa by 243 runs. 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 local sports channel.
Meanwhile, Amir was asked on Geo News' show 'Harna Marna Hai' to give his opinion on Hafeez's comment.
"He is a professor and can say anything," Amir said while terming it 'nonsense'.
Remember, Hafeez said Virat should look at Rohit Sharma, who is sacrificing for his team.
“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.
Former Pakistan pacer Wahab Riaz had disagreed with Hafeez and said, the role has been defined to each one of them.
Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif also 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.”
- Virat Kohli
