I wish captains like MS Dhoni come in Pakistan as well: Kamran Akmal

Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal praised the former Indian captain MS Dhoni for his leadership quality and dedication towards the team and sport. He also expressed his hope of seeing selfless captains like MS leading the Pakistan cricket team.

Dhoni recently turned into a former international cricketer as he announced his retirement from all the three formats of the game on the evening of August 15, 2020. He was the best captain to ever have led the Indian cricket team. The Ranchi stalwart brought laurels to the country by winning all the three ICC trophies; 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy.

While speaking on Paktv.tv, Kamran spoke highly of the former Indian captain and lauded him for placing the team’s interests before himself. “He was a player who took the team along. Doing captaincy is very easy, that I do captaincy and my place remains secure whether the team wins or losses, you have no concern.” Akmal said.

“But Dhoni had this speciality that he was building the team and his own performance was also world-class. You can see the players he was creating, they are still No.1. He only wanted to do good for his country.” he added.

MS Dhoni bid an adieu to the gentleman’s game after a glorious career of 15 years with an announcement on his Instagram handle. For this, the Pakistan cricketer feels that the veteran cricketer deserves a standing ovation just like Sachin Tendulkar for his achievements and brilliance.

“Such players should not go like this, he should get a standing ovation. He should get a farewell match where he goes from the ground, like the way the great Sachin Tendulkar went. He has gone just like his name of Mr. Cool. Such a player comes rarely in world cricket.”

MS Dhoni was destined to play for India, says Kamran Akmal

Further in the interview, Kamran Akmal was asked a hypothetical question regarding the heights the Pakistan team would have attained had MS Dhoni been their captain. To this, the wicket-keeper replied that such captains are an asset for their teams and Pakistan has also had inspirational captains like Inzamam-ul-Haq and Younis Khan.

“Such captains are very much required. We have seen Inzi bhai and Younis bhai, how they have carried the team along. MS Dhoni was destined to play for India and he did well for his nation. He is a great example in front of us. He has not only played cricket but built a team as well and taken the Indian in an upward direction. Such mentality should also be there in our captains.” the 38-year-old stated.

Showering the praises on the Indian Stalwart, Akmal said that the captains leading the Men in Green should learn the art of selflessness from MS Dhoni and should focus on the team rather than themselves. “Nowadays, you see that they are playing for their own positions, to secure their spots and they have no concern whether the team wins or not. Such things are harmful for any country’s team.

“I wish such captains come in Pakistan as well. It is a request to the current captain that unless they win and their own performance is not world-class, the way Dhoni has done, we will not be able to go up.” he concluded.