‘Half century that Virat Kohli scored against Pakistan in World Cup had no impact’- Mohammad Hafeez makes big statement on star Indian batter
The former Pakistan batter Mohammad Hafeez feels that the half-century Virat Kohli scored against the arch-rivals Pakistan in the last year’s 20-20 World Cup had no impact and it was an uncharacteristic knock from him.
The Pakistan cricketer reckons that Virat Kohli has made a significant impact with the bat in his International career, however, his performances have seen a sharp dip in the last couple of years. Virat Kohli’s poor form has become a major talking point among the cricketing circles.
“I think Virat Kohli is an impact player. In the past 2-3 years, we saw that the impact wasn’t there. Even when he scored the half-century against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup last year, that was, to me, impactless. Until you can’t bring an impact, there’s no point of you playing,” said the 41-year-old.
Citing India Vs Pakistan game of last year’s T20 World Cup as an example, Hafeez said that Kohli scored runs in that game too and he was, in fact, India’s highest run scorer, but that knock didn’t have a match-winning impact and if a class player like Virat Kohli can’t have a match-winning impact, he should step away from the hectic schedule of International cricket and take a break.
“Virat Kohli is one of the best players of the past 10 years. I think he is also facing the same problem,” said Hafeez on Dawn. “He needed a break because he had too much mental pressure. Their decision to rest Virat for this series was the best decision for him.”
Mohammad Hafeez is of the opinion that there has been so much pressure of expectations on Virat Kohli over a period of time that it has taken a toll on him and the recent breaks that have been given to him from International cricket will be helpful to him because it will help him reduce the mental pressure on himself.
“Every player requires a break. The Indian board made a good decision. This break will help him get back to becoming an impact player. He had lost his impact,” said the former Pakistani all-rounder.
After the T20 World Cup last year, Virat has been rested from most of the bilateral series. He didn’t feature in the 3-match T20I series against New Zealand, which took place just after the World Cup and he was rested mid-way through the T20I series against West Indies too. Kohli then didn’t play in the T20I series against Sri Lanka and South Africa either and recently, he has rested for the ODI and T20I series against West Indies that will conclude today.
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