PM Modi should urge MS Dhoni to play the 2021 T20 World Cup: Shoaib Akthar

MS Dhoni's announced his retirement from the international cricket on Saturday. Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akthar feels that the PM Modi should urge MS Dhoni to reconsider his decision to retire and continue till World T20 next year.

MS Dhoni has given his 15-year to make Indian cricket best in all formats both a captain and player.

The 39-year-old is the only captain in the cricketing history to win all the three ICC trophies. India won the 2007 World T20, historic 2011 World Cup, 2013 Champions Trophy, and many other tournaments as well under MS Dhoni's captaincy.

MS Dhoni has been the part of 350 ODIs, 90 Tests, and 98 T20Is while playing for India where he scored 17,266 runs. Dhoni is the most successful Indian captain and he captained in 200 matches for India in ODI.

In an interview with the Youtube Channel BolWasim, Shoaib Akthar said playing the 2021 World Cup should have been the MS Dhoni's next target instead of retiring a year before the mega tournament.

“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 said.

“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.”

“You never know, the Prime Minister may call him and request him to play the T20 World Cup. That is also possible. 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.” he said.

The legendary Pakistani pacer also believes that India owes him a grand farewell.

“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 India will be ready. The whole stadium will be booked for him to play a couple of T20 matches,” the 45-year-old added.