Vafaei is not in the world top 16, who qualify automatically, but took Zhao Xintong’s place in the draw after the Chinese star became one of 10 players suspended from the tour amid an investigation into match-fixing.
The Iranian made two centuries and further breaks of 99, 52 and 65 to beat Selby for the third time in succession. In contrast, Selby’s highest break of the evening was only 49 as he suffered a third first-round loss at the Masters in the last four years.
Vafaei is the first Iranian to win a ranking tournament, the first to play at the Crucible and now the first to play in the Masters.
“I can’t believe it,” he told Eurosport. “Am I asleep or awake? Honestly, I can’t believe it. He’s such a tough opponent, he never gives up. He’s such a legend and it’s such a pleasure to share the table with him.
“I’m so proud of myself to beat him again. He’s one of the greatest ambassadors we have so I’m so happy to do the hat-trick against him.”