Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammed Hafeez has yet again called Indian batters Virat Kohli and KL Rahul 'selfish' for playing for personal milestones during the 50-over World Cup last year.&nbsp;

After Kohli smashed an unbeaten 101 in India's 243-run win over South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Hafeez&nbsp;created controversy by calling the Indian batter 'selfish'. Nearly seven months later, Hafeez has doubled down on his version.&nbsp;

"I remember in the same tournament, KL Rahul played a fantastic shot over extra cover to finish the game off (vs Australia) and he was not happy that India won the game but was unhappy because he couldn't get his own hundred,"&nbsp;said Hafeez on the Club Praire Fire Podcast with Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan.

"This is a selfish approach and then the same happened when Virat Kohli did the same thing when he was more into his 100 than adding value to the team (vs South Africa)," he added.&nbsp;

Hafeez went ballistic and called out Kohli for not playing safe and consuming additional deliveries while nearing a milestone.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"After 95, if someone is taking five balls to get to his hundred and not thinking of hitting off those three&nbsp;or four&nbsp;balls, and if the intention gets changed after scoring a 100, why can't I play the same shot on 95? So in that game (South Africa), Virat took a lot of balls to get to his 100 and he was not playing big shots," Hafeez added.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/this-is-utter-nonsense-michael-vaughan-slams-mohammad-hafeez-for-calling-virat-kohli-selfish-655978">Also read |&nbsp;'This is utter nonsense': Michael Vaughan SLAMS Mohammad Hafeez for calling Virat Kohli 'selfish'</a>

<h2>What Hafeez commented?</h2>

Kohli reached his 49th ton in the match to equal Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record. Kohli reached his hundred in 121 deliveries while smashing 10 boundaries. It was his innings that helped India post a healthy target of 327 as South Africa collapsed on a lowly total of 83.&nbsp;

Hafeez, part of a Pakistani cricket panel, analysed the innings and said he saw 'selfishness' in the Indian no. 3.&nbsp;

"I saw a 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. Rohit Sharma could have played selfish cricket too, but he didn't because he is playing for Team India and not for himself."

While India reached the final of the World Cup, Pakistan crashed out of the group stage of the tournament.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammed Hafeez has yet again called Indian batters Virat Kohli and KL Rahul 'selfish' for playing for personal milestones during the 50-over World Cup last year.

Former Pakistan cricketer Mohammed Hafeez has yet again called Indian batters Virat Kohli and KL Rahul 'selfish' for playing for personal milestones during the 50-over World Cup last year. After Kohli smashed an unbeaten 101 in India's 243-run win over South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Hafeez created controversy by calling the Indian batter 'selfish'. Nearly seven months later, Hafeez has doubled down on his version. "I remember in the same tournament, KL Rahul played a fantastic shot over extra cover to finish the game off (vs Australia) and he was not happy that India won the game but was unhappy because he couldn't get his own hundred," said Hafeez on the Club Praire Fire Podcast with Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan. "This is a selfish approach and then the same happened when Virat Kohli did the same thing when he was more into his 100 than adding value to the team (vs South Africa)," he added. Hafeez went ballistic and called out Kohli for not playing safe and consuming additional deliveries while nearing a milestone. "After 95, if someone is taking five balls to get to his hundred and not thinking of hitting off those three or four balls, and if the intention gets changed after scoring a 100, why can't I play the same shot on 95? So in that game (South Africa), Virat took a lot of balls to get to his 100 and he was not playing big shots," Hafeez added. Also read | 'This is utter nonsense': Michael Vaughan SLAMS Mohammad Hafeez for calling Virat Kohli 'selfish' What Hafeez commented? Kohli reached his 49th ton in the match to equal Sachin Tendulkar's long-standing record. Kohli reached his hundred in 121 deliveries while smashing 10 boundaries. It was his innings that helped India post a healthy target of 327 as South Africa collapsed on a lowly total of 83. Hafeez, part of a Pakistani cricket panel, analysed the innings and said he saw 'selfishness' in the Indian no. 3. "I saw a 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. Rohit Sharma could have played selfish cricket too, but he didn't because he is playing for Team India and not for himself." While India reached the final of the World Cup, Pakistan crashed out of the group stage of the tournament. (With inputs from agencies)

Ex-Pakistan player Mohammed Hafeez calls Virat Kohli, KL Rahul 'selfish' yet again

Former cricketer Mohammed Hafeez has criticised the 17-member squad picked by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. The PCB brought back Mohammad Amir as well as Imad Wasim into the squad while picking a few uncapped players, based on their performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Former cricketer Mohammed Hafeez has criticised the 17-member squad picked by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. The PCB brought back Mohammad Amir as well as Imad Wasim into the squad while picking a few uncapped players, based on their performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The five-match series gets underway on April 18 and will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore. However, the former opener was not pleased that players toiling hard in the domestic setup were not given preference by the board. He took to his X (formerly known as Twitter) handle and gave a short and crisp take on the state of things. "#RIP Pakistan domestic cricket," Hafeez wrote on X. #RIP Pakistan domestic cricket — Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) April 9, 2024 × Fast bowler Amir and allrounder Wasim were recalled to the squad after they ended their disagreements with the board. Amir last represented Pakistan in international cricket in 2020 before opting to retire and focus on T20 leagues while Wasim announced his retirement in November 2023. Apart from the two, PCB has also included uncapped middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan and opener Usman Khan in the squad, saying they both earned the nod from selectors following their impressive performances in the PSL. “We hold great optimism and belief in their potential to become key impact players, yet recognise that this requires ongoing dedication and effort," said selection committee member and batting coach Mohammad Yusuf. Also read | 'Don't test my patience': Shaheen Afridi shares cryptic Insta Story amid ongoing Pakistan captaincy saga Hafeez bitter about director stint? Hafeez's statement could be understood as during his short stint as the team director, he attempted to rejig the culture, which included asking Babar Azam to bat down the order, for the benefit of the team. However, his ideas did not go down well with the board and his contract was terminated prematurely. "I accepted the new role as a director PCB with great passion to make positive reforms but unfortunately my designated tenure which was offered by the PCB for 4 years was cut short for 2 months on the account of new chairmanship," Hafeez said after being axed. Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan.

‘RIP Pakistan cricket’: Mohammed Hafeez slams PCB for selecting Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim

Former Pakistan captain Mohammed Hafeez, who was recently sacked as Men in Green's&nbsp;director of cricket, has slammed the national side for poor fitness standards. Hafeez, in a recent interaction,&nbsp;has stated that the current Pakistani players do not have the fitness to play international cricket.

Hafeez was recently removed as the director of cricket for Pakistan after the senior team's woeful run Down Under, where they lost three Tests to Australia (0-3) and five T20Is in New Zealand (going down 1-4). Soon after his contract was not extended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the former all-rounder revealed, on X (formerly Twitter), that he will disclose the reason for Men in Green's recent failures.

Now, talking on A Sports, Hafeez ripped apart Pakistan's fitness culture and blamed former captain Babar Azam and ex-coach Mickey Arthur. "When we went to Australia, I told the players to take care of their fitness levels. I also asked the trainer about the fitness of the players. He told me a shocking thing that six months ago captain (Babar Azam) and Director of Cricket (Mickey Arthur) told me to stop checking the players on the fitness parameters and let them play the way they want," Hafeez said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-eng-pacer-akash-deep-likely-to-debut-in-ranchi-test-in-jasprit-bumrahs-absence-report-692243">Ind vs Eng: Pacer Akash Deep likely to debut in Ranchi Test in Jasprit Bumrah's absence - Report</a>

He added, "When the fat levels of the players were checked, the skin fold of all of them was high - for most players it was 1.5 times the limit. They were unfit and some of them couldn’t complete a 2 km trial run. The decision taken 6 months back overruled the set criteria for fitness. You will suffer defeats if the fitness is like that."

Hafeez also revealed that it took him two months to convince Babar&nbsp;to drop down to No. 3 spot in T20Is.&nbsp;

Hafeez said, "It took me about two months to convince Babar Azam that you have to do it for Pakistan and you are not the first one who's doing it. You are a great player, you are a wonderful player, and you play great cricket. However, you have to develop a Pakistan team. You and Rizwan are very good players, excellent players, but you are not the whole team."

"We need to develop a team and, for that, I want you to come, at number 3 because you have been playing this role in ODI cricket for the last six years, so it won't affect you. Technically, you are very solid. Thank you very much to him that he accepted this, and he played for Pakistan at No. 3 which obviously, I think is the best way to move," he further added.

In the recent past, nothing has clicked for Pakistan. They failed to enter the semifinals of the 2023 ODI World Cup, in India, which led to Babar Azam's removal as captain. Following the ODI WC, Pakistan had a miserable tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Former Pakistan captain Mohammed Hafeez, who was recently sacked as Men in Green's director of cricket, has slammed the national side for poor fitness standards.

Former Pakistan captain Mohammed Hafeez, who was recently sacked as Men in Green's director of cricket, has slammed the national side for poor fitness standards. Hafeez, in a recent interaction, has stated that the current Pakistani players do not have the fitness to play international cricket. Hafeez was recently removed as the director of cricket for Pakistan after the senior team's woeful run Down Under, where they lost three Tests to Australia (0-3) and five T20Is in New Zealand (going down 1-4). Soon after his contract was not extended by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the former all-rounder revealed, on X (formerly Twitter), that he will disclose the reason for Men in Green's recent failures. Now, talking on A Sports, Hafeez ripped apart Pakistan's fitness culture and blamed former captain Babar Azam and ex-coach Mickey Arthur. "When we went to Australia, I told the players to take care of their fitness levels. I also asked the trainer about the fitness of the players. He told me a shocking thing that six months ago captain (Babar Azam) and Director of Cricket (Mickey Arthur) told me to stop checking the players on the fitness parameters and let them play the way they want," Hafeez said. Also read: Ind vs Eng: Pacer Akash Deep likely to debut in Ranchi Test in Jasprit Bumrah's absence - Report He added, "When the fat levels of the players were checked, the skin fold of all of them was high - for most players it was 1.5 times the limit. They were unfit and some of them couldn’t complete a 2 km trial run. The decision taken 6 months back overruled the set criteria for fitness. You will suffer defeats if the fitness is like that." Hafeez also revealed that it took him two months to convince Babar to drop down to No. 3 spot in T20Is. Hafeez said, "It took me about two months to convince Babar Azam that you have to do it for Pakistan and you are not the first one who's doing it. You are a great player, you are a wonderful player, and you play great cricket. However, you have to develop a Pakistan team. You and Rizwan are very good players, excellent players, but you are not the whole team." "We need to develop a team and, for that, I want you to come, at number 3 because you have been playing this role in ODI cricket for the last six years, so it won't affect you. Technically, you are very solid. Thank you very much to him that he accepted this, and he played for Pakistan at No. 3 which obviously, I think is the best way to move," he further added. In the recent past, nothing has clicked for Pakistan. They failed to enter the semifinals of the 2023 ODI World Cup, in India, which led to Babar Azam's removal as captain. Following the ODI WC, Pakistan had a miserable tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Babar Azam, Mickey Arthur put fitness in backseat: Pakistan's former director of cricket Mohammad Hafeez

Pakistan cricket team's new director Mohammad Hafeez will serve as the head coach for the upcoming tours of Australia and New Zealand as well. Pakistan travel to Australia for three Tests in December before heading to New Zealand for five T20Is in January.

This is a huge step up for 43-year-old Hafeez who was named the team director just a day prior in the aftermath of Pakistan's horrible World Cup 2023 campaign. The developments were reported by ESPNCricinfo which also says that the two roles - head and team director - have been merged by the PCB.

The status of current team director Mickey Arthur and head coach Grant Bradburn, however, remains unknown. While they have not been relieved of their duties yet, it could only be because the interim committee which is currently heading the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lacks the authority for the same.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/odi-world-cup-2023-we-havent-seen-such-spin-potm-travis-head-reflects-after-tense-win-over-sa-in-kolkata-659455">We haven't seen such spin - POTM Travis Head reflects after tense win over SA in Kolkata</a>

The appointment of Hafeez as the head coach for the time being concluded the tumultuous 24-hour period in Pakistan cricket which saw their all-format captain Babar Azam stepping down. Babar was told that he could continue as the Test skipper but would be relieved of the job in the white-ball format. The former skipper decided to let go of it all.

Shan Masood replaced Babar Azam as the Test skipper while pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was named the T20 skipper. With no ODIs to be played in the near future, the PCB hasn't named an ODI captain yet.&nbsp;

With all positions filled, only the chief selector job remains vacant after former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq resigned from the post amid scrutiny of the team's poor performance by the board.&nbsp;

Pakistan play three Tests in Australia starting December 14 in Perth before heading to New Zealand for the five T20Is. The team will depart on November 30 and will also play a warm-up game from December 6-9 in Manuka Oval.

Pakistan cricket team's new director Mohammad Hafeez will serve as the head coach for the upcoming tours of Australia and New Zealand as well. Pakistan travel to Australia for three Tests in December before heading to New Zealand for five T20Is in January.

Pakistan cricket team's new director Mohammad Hafeez will serve as the head coach for the upcoming tours of Australia and New Zealand as well. Pakistan travel to Australia for three Tests in December before heading to New Zealand for five T20Is in January. This is a huge step up for 43-year-old Hafeez who was named the team director just a day prior in the aftermath of Pakistan's horrible World Cup 2023 campaign. The developments were reported by ESPNCricinfo which also says that the two roles - head and team director - have been merged by the PCB. The status of current team director Mickey Arthur and head coach Grant Bradburn, however, remains unknown. While they have not been relieved of their duties yet, it could only be because the interim committee which is currently heading the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) lacks the authority for the same. Also Read: We haven't seen such spin - POTM Travis Head reflects after tense win over SA in Kolkata The appointment of Hafeez as the head coach for the time being concluded the tumultuous 24-hour period in Pakistan cricket which saw their all-format captain Babar Azam stepping down. Babar was told that he could continue as the Test skipper but would be relieved of the job in the white-ball format. The former skipper decided to let go of it all. Shan Masood replaced Babar Azam as the Test skipper while pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi was named the T20 skipper. With no ODIs to be played in the near future, the PCB hasn't named an ODI captain yet. With all positions filled, only the chief selector job remains vacant after former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq resigned from the post amid scrutiny of the team's poor performance by the board. Pakistan play three Tests in Australia starting December 14 in Perth before heading to New Zealand for the five T20Is. The team will depart on November 30 and will also play a warm-up game from December 6-9 in Manuka Oval.

Pakistan name team director Mohammed Hafeez as coach for tours of Australia and New Zealand

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Ex-Pakistan player Mohammed Hafeez calls Virat Kohli, KL Rahul 'selfish' yet again

‘RIP Pakistan cricket’: Mohammed Hafeez slams PCB for selecting Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim

Babar Azam, Mickey Arthur put fitness in backseat: Pakistan's former director of cricket Mohammad Hafeez

Pakistan name team director Mohammed Hafeez as coach for tours of Australia and New Zealand