In a recent conversation, Pakistan’s legendary bowler Shoaib Akhtar opined that India’s former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni could have played the T20 World Cup next year. He also said that entire India would be looking forward to see Dhoni playing a farewell match.
Dhoni’s retirement and farewell game
Mahendra Singh Dhoni announced his international retirement on August 15 via Instagram post. But the buzz around his decision is still making headlines. A lot of former cricketers believe that Dhoni could have waited to play another T20 World Cup. Shoaib Akhtar, the pacer from Pakistan is one such name. In a YouTube channel ‘Bol Wasim’ Akhtar said, “I think he could have gone on to play the T20 World Cup. The way India supports its stars, the way they love them, and recognizes them, they would have played him in T20s. But it was his personal choice.”
Akhtar continued, “But again he has won everything, a person from Ranchi has rocked the whole of India, what else do you need. At the end of the day, the world should remember you. And a nation like India, they will never let you get forgotten.”
While asked about Dhoni’s farewell match, Akhtar said, “India will be geared up to give him a farewell game, trust me. If he doesn’t want it, it is a different thing, but entire India will be ready.” He added, “The whole stadium will be booked for him to play a couple of T20 matches. He still has not retired from IPL. He is going to score big runs in the IPL.”
A PM’s call for Dhoni
According to Shoaib Akhtar, the speedster if the PM of India requests Dhoni to play next year’s T20 World Cup, Dhoni can consider as he cannot refuse such request. “He still is not done. He is still going to play IPL for at least two more years. You never know, the Prime Minister may call him and request him to play the T20 World Cup. That is also possible.”
He recalled how Imran Khan was requested by General Zia-ul-Haq to continue even after 1987. “Imran Khan was asked by General Zia-ul-Haq not to leave cricket after 1987, and he played. You cannot say no to the Prime Minister.”
