‘BCCI didn’t treat a big player like him well’ - Saqlain Mushtaq on MS Dhoni’s retirement

Saqlain Mushtaq, the former Pakistan cricketer, lashed out at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for not treating MS Dhoni in the appropriate manner. On Saturday, August 15, Dhoni called it a day for the Men in Blue after serving the national team for as many as 16 years.

The 39-year-old last played in the 2019 World Cup and bowed out through an Instagram post. Mushtaq didn’t mince any words in saying that retirement of a player of Dhoni’s class shouldn’t have taken place in the matter in which it did.

Saqlain, who played 49 Tests and 169 ODIs, said that Dhoni’s fans would have wanted India’s favourite son to retire after playing for India one last time. The 43-year-old Mushtaq expressed his opinions on his official YouTube channel.

Glad that MS Dhoni will play in IPL, says Mushtaq

“I always say positive things and try not to spread negativity in any way but I think I should say this. This is kind of a defeat of BCCI. They did not treat a big player like him in the right way. The retirement shouldn’t have happened like this,” Mushtaq said.

“This is coming straight from my heart and I believe millions of his fans feel the same way. I’m really sorry to BCCI that I’m saying this but they didn’t treat Dhoni well, I’m hurt.”

“May God bless him in his future endeavours and whatever decisions he makes but there is one regret that I have. I think Dhoni’s every fan will have the same regret. It would’ve been great to see him retire after playing in the India kit for one last time,” he added.

Though he has hung his boots from the highest level, his fans won’t be missing out on seeing him on the field. Dhoni is set to play for the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), starting September 19 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Mushtaq sounded happy that fans still have the privilege of watching Dhoni in the cash-rich and prestigious tournament. “Glad that he will play in IPL. But his international retirement should have been different,” Mushtaq signed off.