Shoaib Akhtar Calls For BCCI To Arrange A Farewell Match For MS Dhoni

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar joined the list of cricketers to pay tribute to MS Dhoni, who retired from international on Saturday. Shoaib Akhtar was amongst the many Pakistan cricketers to laud the keeper-batsman for his contributions towards Indian cricket. The Rawalpindi Express also hopes that the BCCI plans a farewell match for MS Dhoni.

Also Read: ‘You Have Shown Faith In Me’: Virat Kohli’s Touching Video Message For MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni walked away from international cricket via an Instagram video that was captioned as “Thanks a lot for ur love and support throughout. From 1929 hrs consider me as Retired”. The video entailed Dhoni’s journey from his debut from 2004 to his last match, which was the 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. The keeper-batsman retired after featuring in 90 Tests, 350 ODIs, and 98 T20Is.

Shoaib Akhtar states that there might be a scenario where there is a farewell match for MS Dhoni. He hopes that the BCCI requests him to come and play for the final time since a player like Dhoni does not deserve to depart merely through a message via social media. The 44-year old further desires that the Indian board utilises Dhoni’s services in some other way moving forward.

“There might be scenario that Dhoni gets a farewell match. BCCI might ask him to play one final time to give him a send-off whenever it is possible in the current scenario because such a big player like Dhoni doesn’t deserve to go out with a small message on social media. I hope and India sends him off with a lot of respect and in times to come they use his experience in some way or the other. Whoever serves their country for 15-16 will have tons of knowledge and I hope the BCCI utilises that,” Shoaib Akhtar said as quoted by India Today.

“I was confident that MS Dhoni will get a good farewell” : Shoaib Akhtar

Shoaib Akhtar went on to say that he forever felt optimistic of the 39-year old getting a good farewell. He admits that it is always great to leave on your terms instead of being pushed towards retirement. Since MS Dhoni has not requested for a retirement match, Rajeev Shukla has declared that there is no question of it.

“I was confident that MS Dhoni will get a good farewell but that is not what he wants. Playing for India was his biggest dream which he fulfilled. It’s always a great time to leave when you want to, people shouldn’t push you towards retirement. India loves and respects its cricket stars, I know because I have learned that from experience,” he added.

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