Coming out in the 10th over when India were down in the dumps at 29 for five, Dhoni single-handedly took India's total to 227 for six with an unbeaten knock of 113 from 125 balls though his side lost the match by six wickets.
"I think he played really well and in fact it was an exceptional innings under pressure. But for his knock, this match would have been over in two-three hours," Imran said.
"Under the circumstances, this was one of the best innings," he added.
Imran also praised rookie Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for his fine show today and in the earlier Twenty20 International series.
"I think he has the ability to swing the ball and he has done well. For a fast bowler to do well, you need to have speed in the air and ability to move the ball. Or you have to swing the ball and be able to extract extra bounce," he told NDTV.
Asked about Pakistan churning out fast bowler after another, Imran said, "It is because of the physique of the players. The players from North (Pakistan) Punjab and Frontier Province have physique which suited in becoming fast bowlers. So we have to tap them and groom them."