Pakistan went to No 1 in the Test rankings, for the first time since they were devised in 2003, after India’s Test against West Indies in Trinidad was washed out. India had been in top spot for only a week.
It could have been England at No 1, but some insipid cricket in the series against Pakistan at Lord’s and the Kia Oval put paid to that. Pakistan’s 2-2 draw in England was enough to take them to the top, while Australia disintegrated against Sri Lanka to lose 3-0, and India were prevented by rain from defeating the West Indies in more than two of their four Tests.
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke congratulated Pakistan team for their success in Test cricket. He congratulated them on twitter. Clarke wrote, “Congratulations to Pakistan. Have not played a home Test for a long time. Very tight up the top. Bring on the summer.”
Pakistan will play Test series against Australia in December in Australia. Clarke wrote, “ If this is the case, congratulations Pakistan. Makes for a great summer in Australia.”
Pakistan have not played a Test at home since 2009, it is a particularly fine achievement. “There is no greater feeling than to achieve the No 1 ranking in the most traditional and purest format of the sport,” said Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan’s captain for the past six years.
“This is what cricketers want to achieve. No 1 ranking is a reward for something we had planned as a group a few years ago and have worked extremely hard to achieve it. To top the Test table is something to be very proud of,” he added.