Dubai. Pakistan team, which is unable to play their international matches in their country for security reasons, proudly announcing that they are a power in world cricket, received the prestigious International Cricket Council (ICC) Test championship mace for the top ICC Test team. Skipper Mishab Ul Haq received the glittering mace from ICC Chief Executive David Richardson at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, considered the home of Pakistan cricket.
It was a proud moment for the Pakistan team which is in the UAE to play the West Indies in over a one month long series. Pakistan had been playing its home series in the UAE since the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in 2009 near the Gadaffi stadium in Lahore.
Receiving the mace, Misbah said: “It is ironic for both the players as well as the fans that the journey to the number-one position has been outside Pakistan. There can’t be a better location to receive the ICC Test Championship mace than this ground where we last played a home Test seven years ago.”
Pakistan have achieved the honour for the first time since the current rankings system was introduced in 2003.
Forty-two-year-old Misbah, who will soon be leading the Pakistan team in the Test series against West Indiesn in UAE, then went on to say: “The players have missed on the crowd support, while the spectators have been unable to watch live some magnificent team and individual performances. But I am confident that things will change and international cricket will soon return to Pakistan.”
Misbah feeling delighted to hold the mace in the twilight of his career also said: “It has always been a dream to lift an ICC trophy as captain. To be only the ninth international captain to achieve this honour in the traditional format of the game is something to be very proud of. This mace is a reward for the efforts and hard work of each and every individual who has been part of this group over the past few years.”
Pakistan is the fifth side after Australia, England, India and South Africa to top the ICC Test rankings. Misbah become the ninth captain to lift the mace after Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith (all Australia), MS Dhoni (India), Andrew Strauss (England), Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla (both South Africa).
Richardson congratulated the Pakistan stating: “The ICC Test Championship mace is a symbol of excellence and a recognition of a side’s outstanding performance in the purest format of the game. Being part of a team that is ranked No. 1 in Test cricket is a pinnacle achievement for any cricketer. Pakistan is a deserving recipient of the mace. It is all the more impressive that it has reached the number-one Test ranking despite not being able to play a series in front of its home crowd since March 2009.
With the top four ranked sides separated by just three points the coming weeks will be exciting as all the teams are playing matches. “The contest for the number-one position gives great context to the upcoming series, providing fascinating entertainment for followers of the Test cricket,” added Richardson.
ICC Test Team Rankings (as on 21 September 2016)
Rank Team Points
1. Pakistan 111
2. India 110
3. Australia 108
4. England 108
5. South Africa 96
6. Sri Lanka 95
7. New Zealand 95
8. West Indies 67
9. Bangladesh 57
10. Zimbabwe 8
