Tributes are still flowing for MS Dhoni, who announced retirement from international cricket on August 15. The two-time World Cup-winning Indian captain appeared in 90 Tests, 350 ODIs, and 98 T20Is for his country from 2004-2019.
The 2019 World Cup semi-final between India and New Zealand, which the Men in Blue lost, proved to be the final match of MS Dhoni, as he didn’t play any cricket after that encounter.
Dhoni, who began his career in 2004 in an ODI against Bangladesh, made an impact against Pakistan in both Tests and ODIs, as his maiden centuries in both formats came against the neighboring nations.
He scored 148 in an ODI in Vizag in 2005 against Pakistan and his first Test ton was also 148, coming at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad, Pakistan in 2006.
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Dhoni was always a big thorn in Pakistan’s way of beating India and even when they did, Dhoni took the glory, as he did against them in 2012 Chennai ODI, scoring a valiant 113 when India lost 5 wickets for 92 runs. Though Pakistan won the match by six wickets, Dhoni walked away with the Player of the Match award.
Now that he called time on his illustrious career, Pakistani cricketers congratulated MS Dhoni for his future and lauded his captaincy skills. Pakistani stalwarts such as Inzamam-ul-Haq, Basit Ali, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis Mudassar Nazar, Shahid Afridi, and many others showed immense respect for Dhoni.
"He is in my mind one of the greatest cricket captains India has produced. A true match-winner against whom I enjoyed playing against a lot,” Inzamam said.
"Fantastic player and captain. He had this knack for reading the game so accurately and using his players accordingly for every situation and he was the perfect match finisher. He used to read the situation so well and finish accordingly. The criticism against him after last year's World Cup's semi-final was unjustified as he tried his best in difficult circumstances,” said Rashid Latif.
"Dhoni is a legend; I admired him for his nerves of steel," says Mithali Raj
"I first saw him when I was coaching in Kenya. There was a triangular tournament in Nairobi and Dhoni scored back-to-back centuries. But even then I never knew he would go on to leave such a big impact on Indian and world cricket," former Test opener, Mudassar Nazar said.
Mohammad Yousuf who played against MS Dhoni quite often, said, "He batted at different positions and he always delivered. I remember his innings in the 2011 World Cup final. It was a masterstroke the way he promoted himself in the batting order and hit the winning six."
"Just look at his record for India and for Chennai Super Kings it is amazing. When he played for Pune in 2016 and 2017 his team played in the IPL final. Such was his impact on any team,” Basit Ali mentioned.
Mohsin Khan said that Dhoni's greatest contribution was to captain teams that included top senior players and also groom and encourage young upcoming players.
"His balancing act was so impressive. The way he led the senior players, gave them respect, and kept the calm in the dressing room. The way he picked and then backed so many young players who have eventually become world-class performers for India including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma,” the only Asian batsman to score a Test double-ton at Lord’s said.
"Personally, I find him to be a very exciting and class player who fits the description of an impact-player perfectly. He really came through for India and he deserves all credit for the way he set the example with his bowling, batting, and fielding," said former skipper Moin Khan said.
"One of the true legends of the game and one of the greatest captains," Dhoni’s one-time rival Shahid Afridi wrote.
(PTI inputs)
