Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq received the ICC Test Championship mace on Wednesday after leading Pakistan to the pinnacle of Test team rankings for the first time since the current rankings system was introduced in 2003.
Pakistan team was in turmoil due to match-fixing scandals when the 42-year old took the reigns of the team. Pakistan’s journey to the top of the rankings is nothing short of inspiring. They were at the sixth place in 2014 but consistent performances since then propelled them to create history. The achieved the number one ranking after drawing the four-match series 2-2 in England. Apart from the successes against England, they defeated Sri Lanka 2-1 in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh 1-0 in Bangladesh, and whitewashed Australia 2-0 in the UAE.
The skipper received the mace from ICC Chief Executive David Richardson at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Expressing his happiness after receiving the mace, Misbah said: “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 were compelled to play their home series in UAE after the terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore seven year ago.
“It is ironic for both the players as well as the fans that the journey to the number-one position has been outside Pakistan.
“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.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.”
Dedicating the success to his teammates, he said: “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.”
Richardson also congratulated the Pakistan team on the ‘remarkable achievement’.
“This is a remarkable achievement, given Pakistan has played all the series away from home. Congratulations to Misbah, Pakistan team and PCB on making it to number one,” he said.
Watch Misbah receive the prestigious mace: