India and Pakistan will resume their on-field rivalry when the two teams square off in their first game of the 2022 Asia Cup. It’s after 10 months that the Men in Blue will lock horns with the Men in Green. In 2021, the two teams squared off in the league stage of the T20 World Cup.
The two teams now don’t play bilateral series but there was a time early in the 21st century when they played many matches. India toured Pakistan in 2004 and then again in 2006. Pakistan also toured India. The last bilateral series between the two teams took place in 2012/13, when India hosted Pakistan in 3 ODIs and 2 T20Is.
Back in 2006, MS Dhoni was still a newcomer in the side but courtesy of his batting, the wicketkeeper-batsman quickly climbed to the top of the ladder and was India’s all-format captain by the end of 2008.
Apart from Dhoni’s unique batting style and unorthodox wicketkeeping, his hairstyle also became quite popular. The former India captain had long hair when he made his debut and he kept that hairstyle for 3-4 years.
Former Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf also became a fan of Dhoni’s long hair and suggested him not to have a haircut. He was in attendance during the 3rd ODI between the two sides played in Gadaffi Stadium. Dhoni played a key role in the win and played a Man of the Match knock of 72 off 46 deliveries.
“I saw a placard which said ‘Dhoni have a haircut’. If you want to take my opinion, You look good in this haircut. Don’t have a haircut,” Musharraf famously suggested to Dhoni
Under Dhoni’s captaincy, India defeated Pakistan in the final of the 2007 T20 World Cup and in the semi-final of the 2011 World Cup. In the league stage of the 2015 World Cup as well, Dhoni propelled the Men in Blue to a win over the arch-rivals.
