Legendary leg-spinner from Pakistan Abdul Qadir said that it should be left to Sachin Tendulkar to decide when he wants to retire from international cricket, says a report in The Indian Express.
His former teammate and captain Imran Khan had earlier said that Sachin should not leave it upto the selectors.
"I respect what Imran had said but Sachin is an exception as he is in a different league. He is like the 'Kohinoor of World Cricket'. He should have the right to decide about his future," Qadir said.
Qadir said that Sachin won’t delay his retirement once it is the right time for him to go, he said “Sachin has contributed a lot to the game. A talent like him comes once in a generation. He is patriotic and the day he realizes that he can't contribute to Indian cricket, he will retire. His love for cricket and commitment towards country is unquestionable.”
There are a lot of people who are suggesting that Sachin should retire, but Qadir do not share their opinion.
“People who criticise Sachin should not forget that he has been playing for more than 23 years and had innumerable brilliant performances and achievements second to none,” he said.
Meanwhile, Imran Khan had earlier suggested that Sachin should not leave his fate to the selectors, reports The Hindustan Times.
"Sachin is such a great player but I can only say if I were in his position, I would want to leave on a high and my greatest worry was that I should never be at the mercy of the selectors," said Imran.
"I think Sachin is such a great player and people are emotionally attached. I can understand the Indian public, who has been watching him for 23 years. They can't imagine life without Sachin. But from Sachin's point of view, knowing that the kind of pride that he takes in his cricket. There must be a time when he should decide that this is the right time to leave," he added.