Former Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez continued to find a prominent place among social media trends for his apparent grudge against India talisman Virat Kohli. Alternatively, ex-England captain Michael Vaughan mocked him on X for his controversial remarks on the Delhi-born cricketer, with the latest episode of their spat coming during the weekend after the Babar Azam-led side's defeat to England in the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

The controversy began last Sunday when Mohammad Hafeez called Virat Kohli “selfish” following his record-equalling hundred against South Africa in the World Cup.

Virat Kohli anchored the Indian innings, remaining unbeaten on 101 off 121 balls.

Experts commenting on the match agreed that the pitch was tricky to bat on as it aided South African spinners, who posed some problems for the home side's batters.

Though runs were hard to come by against South Africa's slow bowlers, especially against Keshav Maharaj, Virat Kohli managed to dig in and made sure India put up a good total on the scoreboard.

The Eden Gardens, packed to the raptures, was treated to a Virat Kohli masterclass as he powered the hosts to 326/5 in their allocated 50 overs.

Despite Virat Kohli's splendid knock, Mohammad Hafeez opined that the talismanic India batter put his milestone ahead of the team's cause and should have scored his runs much quicker than he did.

“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,” Mohammad Hafeez said on a Pakistani TV show.

Comparing Virat Kohli's knock with Rohit Sharma's, Mohammad Hafeez claimed that the latter played for the team as he gave them a blistering start.

Rohit Sharma made 40 off 24 balls as Team India raced to 62/1 in under six overs.

“Rohit Sharma could have played selfish cricket too, but he didn't because he is playing for Team India and not for himself. 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,” Mohammad Hafeez explained.

“I am not saying Virat didn't played well. He batted beautifully till he reached 97. The last three singles, he took, I am talking about the intent. He was looking for singles instead of hitting boundaries. Who cares if he gets out on 97 or 99. Team should always be above than personal milestone,” the former Pakistan all-rounder added.

Mohammad Hafeez's comments earned him flak from former India coach Venkatesh Prasad, who slammed him for insulting Virat Kohli.

“Hearing funny arguments about Virat Kohli being Selfish and obsessed with personal milestone. Yes Kohli is selfish, selfish enough to follow the dream of a billion people, selfish enough to strive for excellence even after achieving so much, selfish enough to set new benchmarks, selfish enough to ensure his team wins. Yes, Kohli is selfish,” Venkatesh Prasad wrote on X.

The following day, it was the turn of England's Ashes-winning former captain, Michael Vaughan, who minced no words in criticizing Mohammad Hafeez for his “nonsense” comments on Virat Kohli.

“Come on Mohammad Hafeez!!! India have hammered 8 teams playing great cricket. Virat Kohli now has 49 tons and his last was an anchor role innings on a tricky pitch. His team won by over 200!!!! This is utter nonsense,” Michael Vaughan posted on the microblogging site.

The bitter war of words between Michael Vaughan and Mohammad Hafeez continued as the latter tried to hit back at the former by sharing an example of Ben Stokes' hundred against the Netherlands.

Mohammad Hafeez described Ben Stokes' knock of 108 off 84 balls against the Netherlands that helped England end a five-match losing streak as selfless before telling Michael Vaughan that Virat Kohli's innings was selfish.

“Saviour of the ship Ben Stokes. Good 100 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,” Mohammad Hafeez said.

Michael Vaughan acknowledged that Ben Stokes produced a great knock but backed his previous comments on Virat Kohli.

“Great innings from Ben Stokes Mohammad Hafeez. As was Virat's on a difficult pitch in Kolkata against a better attack,” Michael Vaughan replied.

Sometime later, Michael Vaughan seemed to have found the answer to Mohammad Hafeez's hatred of the premier India batter. He informed the netizens that Virat Kohli once dismissed the former Pakistan cricketer, making him one of the few players to have lost his wicket to the bowling of the Indian superstar.

“Seems to me Mohammad Hafeez you were bowled by Virat Kohli !!! Is this the reason you constantly have a pop at him,” Michael Vaughan broke the internet with his post.

Michael Vaughan didn't stop there as he re-shared the video of Mohammad Hafeez's dismissal to Virat Kohli with a caption, “Have a great day” after Pakistan's near exit from the World Cup following New Zealand's victory over Sri Lanka.

But Michael Vaughan's latest jibe at Mohammad Hafeez on Saturday (November 9), after the Pakistani cricket team's loss to England, confirmed their ouster from the Cricket World Cup.

After Pakistan lost to England by 93 runs with their batters again letting the team down, Michael Vaughan tweeted: “Maybe Pakistani batters need to be a bit more selfish like Virat.”

Previously, even Pakistani players showed their disagreement with Mohammad Hafeez over his bizarre comments on Virat Kohli.

“I disagree. The role is defined differently. Virat’s role is to take the game deep. In the last eight overs India scored 75 runs. Surya and Jadeja played fast but Kohli made sure that he is there at other end. if Kohli would have got out, we would have not seen those two cameos and India might not have crossed the 300-run mark,” retired Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz said.

“We talk about role identification. Rohit and Shubman are going all guns blazing up front. Then Virat plays the sheet anchor role, taking game deep. If Rohit and Shubman gets out early, Shreyas' will be the aggressor, Kohli and KL Rahul will bat through. It is very clear. yes Kohli batted slowly but if not for him, India would not have posted 326,” he mentioned.

Ex-Pakistan captains Wasim Akram and Rashid Latif agreed with Wahab Riaz's thoughts.

“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,” Rashid Latif said.

“Yes Rohit took away all the pressure. It looks like he was batting on some other track, it was extraordinary. He scored 40 off 24 balls, it was an unbelieveable start. They lost the first first wicket on 62, second on 93 but by then tide was shifted towards India. After Rohit's knock, the South African were just catching up. With such kind of opening start, the pressure is completely off on those batters who are coming next. He scored only 40 but it was very important,” Wasim Akram continued.

“Then came King, King Kohli. Ball was gripping on the surface. The ball Maharaj bowled to Gill was lovely ball. I thought, they will get India quickly. But Kohli had something else in his mind,” he concluded.