When former Pak President General Musharraf fell for Dhoni’s locks

Sports Desk: Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has been formally arrested in connection with Akbar Bugti murder case.

A police team from Balochistan arrested the former army General on Thursday, following which, an anti-terrorist court ordered a two-week-long judicial remand to him.

Though he presided over the Pakistan Army during the 1999 Kargil conflict, General Musharraf remains a popular figure in India, thanks partly to his famous love for cricket.

When in office, President Musharraf was an avid advocate of ‘cricket diplomacy,’ and was seen enjoying cricket matches from the stands.

His admiration for Indian skipper MS Dhoni too is well documented.

The General first heaped praise on Dhoni in 2006, when the right hander was beginning to announce his arrival on international scene with his long locks and longer hits.

During India’s tour to Pakistan in 2006, Dhoni’s 46-ball 72 guided India to a fine win over hosts in Lahore.

Musharraf, mesmerised by Dhoni’s power-hitting, heaped praises on the right hander and added, “A lot of placards in the crowd have suggested that you should get a haircut, but if you take my advice, you look good in this hairstyle.”

Four years later, the General heaped more praise on Dhoni, who was by then, a cricketing superstar and Indian captain.

“Though Sachin Tendulkar is the world’s most consistent cricketer, Dhoni is the most entertaining and exciting,” Musharraf said in an interview.

“Once I praised his hairstyle. Now he has gone for a shorter haircut, but he is still exciting to watch,” he added.

Interestingly, Dhoni’s admiration for armed forces is an open secret, and Indian captain’s wicket-keeping gloves, that bear the distinct military camoflague. 

Further, he had also praised the Indian team for its consistent showings.

“Though I am pained to see the state of Pakistan cricket, I am really impressed with the way Indian cricket is progressing. I must say you do have great players at your disposal,” he said.

“The (Pakistan) team is down and it is unfortunate that on an everyday basis, some new controversy crops up,” he added.