Former Pakistan cricket captain Mohammad Hafeez has sparked a debate by criticizing Virat Kohli's batting approach during the ODI World Cup, where Kohli played a crucial innings against South Africa. Despite Kohli's impressive unbeaten century, Hafeez questioned his tactics, suggesting that personal milestones should not overshadow team objectives.

Kohli's exceptional performance at the World Cup saw him break records with 765 runs, including three centuries and six fifties. His contributions helped India maintain an unbeaten streak until the final, where they faced a disappointing defeat against Australia.

Hafeez's comments resurfaced during a conversation on the Club Prairie Fire podcast with Michael Vaughan and Adam Gilchrist. He stood by his earlier remarks, emphasizing that a player's primary focus should always be on winning matches rather than individual milestones. According to Hafeez, Kohli's approach, particularly as he neared his century against South Africa, showed a reluctance to take risks and score quickly.

"In that game, Virat took a lot of balls to reach his hundred. He wasn't playing aggressively," Hafeez noted. "To me, personal milestones like centuries should not dictate a player's intent. If a batsman holds back from playing big shots in the 90s, it reflects a misplaced focus."

Hafeez expressed a broader concern about the impact of personal achievements on team dynamics in cricket. He advocated for a shift towards a more selfless approach where every run contributes meaningfully to the team's success.

"Personal milestones should not be celebrated if they do not contribute to winning matches. As fans of cricket, we want to see players pushing themselves for the team's victory, not just for personal records," Hafeez stated firmly.

His remarks have reignited discussions about the balance between individual brilliance and team strategy in professional cricket. While Kohli's achievements are widely recognized, Hafeez's critique highlights a philosophical divide on how players should approach their innings in high-stakes tournaments.

As cricket enthusiasts continue to debate the issue, Hafeez's stance underscores the importance of a collective mindset in cricket, where every player's effort should align with achieving victory for their team.

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