Pakistan celebrated its number one Test rankings on Monday, giving credit to its most successful captain Misbah-ul-Haq and efforts made by the Pakistan Cricket Board to prepare the team in advance for their tough tour to England.
The International Cricket Council Monday announced that Pakistan becomes number on Test team after India was deprived an opportunity to defend its number one ranking with the rain-hit Trinidad Test against the West Indies ending in a tame draw.
This is the first time that Pakistan has been ranked number 1 since the inception of the ranking system in 2003.
Coming from behind to level the four match series against England, Pakistan gained valuable ranking points. In the latest updated rankings, issued at the end of India’s tour of West Indies, Pakistan tops the chart with 111 points. India is second with 110 points while Australia sits at the third position with 108 points.
Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Shaharyar Khan congratulated the team in his message.
“The ascension to the top of the ICC Test rankings culminates an incredible journey for Pakistan Cricket. This is a historic moment in our rich Test cricket history and the credit for this great achievement goes not only to this team but to all the players, coaches and support staff members who have represented Pakistan in recent years. Misbah-ul-Haq deserves special credit for his leadership through these six crucial years,” said Shaharyar Khan.
Misbah-ul-Haq, who now has 22 wins as Test captain in 46 matches, believes that Pakistan attained this ranking as a result of team work and self-belief.
“This is a great day for the whole nation. Playing away from home, we are always thinking about our supporters back home and we all know what this game means to them. This ranking is a gift to our fans who have supported us throughout,” added Misbah.
Pakistan’s next Test assignments include a series against West Indies in the UAE, and away tours of New Zealand and Australia.
The ICC will present Pakistan with a mace after their tour of England completes on September 7 in a ceremony in Lahore, but to get the prize money of one million dollars (for being number one) Pakistan has to carry this rankings until April 1 cut off date.