After Kohli debate, Vaughan and Hafeez engage in social media clash over Stokes' World Cup century

Former England skipper Michael Vaughan was not much impressed with ex-Pakistan cricketer Mohammad Hafeez’s remarks on Virat Kohli’s playing style against South Africa at the World Cup. Hafeez felt that Kohli was a bit selfish in a bid to achieve his personal record against the Proteas. The comment did not go down well with Vaughan and the former England batter was once again involved in a social media argument with Hafeez. Tagging Vaughan in a post, Hafeez called England all-rounder Ben Stokes’ approach against the Netherlands as “selfless.” Stokes played a terrific knock of 108 against the Dutch cricket team at the World Cup on Wednesday. Reacting to Hafeez’s post, Vaughan wrote on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, “Great innings from Stokesy [Ben Stokes] Mohammad Hafeez. As was Virat’s on a difficult pitch in Kolkata against a better attack.”

Great innings from Stokesy @MHafeez22 .. As was Virats on a difficult pitch in Kolkata against a better attack .. 👍 https://t.co/KFpNIafgVK

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 8, 2023

“Saviour of the ship Ben Stokes under pressure anchoring the innings where required with aggressive intent to get Maximum runs for the team to win at the end. Sheer example to differentiate Selfish vs Selfless approach Michael Vaughan,” read Hafeez’s post.

Saviour of the ship @benstokes38 😍👍🏼 Good 💯 under pressure anchoring the innings where required with aggressive intent to get Maximum runs for the team to win at the end. Sheer example to differentiate Selfish vs Selfless approach @MichaelVaughan #ENGvNED #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/ElNmyuK3jv

— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) November 8, 2023

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Stokes’ fabulous knock guided England to a mammoth total of 339 against the Netherlands. The target proved to be quite challenging as the Dutch cricket team folded for 179 at the MCA Stadium in Pune.

The banter between Vaughan and Hafeez, however, did not stop there. Sharing an old video on X, Vaughan reminded Hafeez how he was once dismissed by Kohli in an India-Pakistan fixture. “Morning Mohammad Hafeez. Have a great day,” Vaughan wrote taking a playful dig at the former Pakistan all-rounder.

Morning @MHafeez22 .. Have a great day 😜😜 #India #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/WtK62Lvf01

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 9, 2023

Previously, Kohli’s World Cup knock against South Africa sparked debates as many felt that the star India batter’s strike rate was not good enough in that fixture. Kohli had scored 101 runs off 121 balls at a strike rate of 83.47 against the Proteas. With this century, Kohli succeeded in equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time ODI tally of 49 tons.

Read: Kohli has only equalled Tendulkar, but as an ODI batter he is unparalleled

Hafeez was one of those who felt that Kohli became a bit selfish when he was close to his record-equalling century against South Africa. During the ‘Top Cricket Analysis’ show, the 43-year-old even pointed out that in order to breach the three-digit mark, Kohli looked to take a single in the 49th over of that game.

Mohammad Hafeez. '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'.#INDvsSA | #ViratKohli | #RohitSharma pic.twitter.com/50VoKGXZhq

— Immy (@TotallyImro45) November 6, 2023

Powered by Kohli’s stupendous knock, India had reached a solid total of 326 against South Africa. In reply, South Africa could not even reach the 100-run mark. The Temba Bavuma-led side were bowled out for a meagre 83.