Pakistan cricket team is all set to take to the top of the ICC Test team ranking table, after the fourth day of the current Test match between India and West Indies was also washed out due to rain, on Sunday.
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India was top of the rankings for less than a week, following Australia’s 3-0 series defeat to Sri Lanka. Further, it was told that if India will be failing to do so Pakistan will be the Number 1 Test Team.
And in 2009, also against England, the scheduled second Test of the series survived less than two overs when the officials determined that the heavily-sanded outfield, which included the bowlers run-ups, made proper movement without the risk of injury for the fielding team nearly impossible.
Misbah is presently on vacation in Norway while some of his Pakistan team-mates, including ODI skipper Azhar Ali who is also the Test vice-captain, are preparing to play England in the five-match One-day global series from Wednesday.
“The number-one ranking is well deserved and a testament to the quality of cricket the team has consistently played over the past few years”.
“I want to compliment everyone who has been involved in the process, including all the players, the support personnel, the management, as well as our loyal fans and followers who remained committed to us and continued to back and support the side through the good and not-so-good days”. “If we can achieve these on a consistent basis, then I am sure there will more laurels like this down the line”, Misbah said.
David Richardson, the ICC chief executive, congratulated Pakistan on achieving the top spot.
For us, the number-one ranking is not a destination but part of a journey. “This is what cricketers play for and want to achieve in their careers”.
Misbah and his side deserve our heartiest congratulations. “In recognition of such an occurrence, the ICC and the home board [in this case the Pakistan Cricket Board] will plan the presentation event which would require the presence of all stakeholders including the captain because the mace is presented to the man leading the team”.
West Indies cricket now holds the unenviable record of hosting the three shortest Test matches for reasons related to pitch and playing conditions.
In 1998, the first Test of the series against England at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica lasted less than an hour before the umpires determined that the pitch was too unsafe for the English batsmen to face genuine fast bowling.
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“It is a symbol of excellence for any team to top the ranking”.
