Pakistan were named the number one side after the Test between India and the West Indies at the Port of Spain was abandoned.
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Pakistan have for the first time risen to No. 1 in the ICC’s Test rankings after last test between India and West Indies ended in a draw today.
West Indies were 62-2 in their first innings when heavy rain cut short day one and no further play was possible.
The team – who have replaced India at the top – have not played a Test at house in six years for security reasons.
ICC Chief Executive David Richardson congratulated Pakistan on achieving the number-one Test ranking.
It comes after they drew a thrilling away series against England, where they secured victory in the final Test to ensure it finished at two wins apiece.
“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”.
“Had Pakistan not won, had we drawn the last game, the rankings would have looked different again”.
Under Younis, Pakistan plummeted to number nine in one-day global rankings – a slump which they need to address in the five-match series against England starting on Wednesday.
Speaking about the feat, Misbah said: “To top the table, which boasts some great teams and players, is something to be very proud of”.
“We have been to this ground so many times and for every ground we ensure that they are prepared”, he insisted to local media on Monday.
“The past few weeks of Test cricket have been incredibly absorbing with some high-quality competitive series being played, exhibiting what is so special about Test cricket. The No 1 team receives $1 million, second-ranked side $500,000, the number three earns $200,000 and the fourth-ranked $100,000 in recognition of their performance”, he added.
Misbah-ul-Haq shall soon be given the ICC Test Championship mace in order to mark the side’s ascend to the top rank. And this is something that I keep trying to get when we go on tour because I think it’s harder on tour and if we get two, sometimes three practice games before the first Test match, then that would be ideal.
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Cricket-obsessed Pakistanis were Tuesday celebrating their national team´s “incredible journey” to the top of the Test rankings after a turbulent seven years in which they were forced to play home matches on neutral venues.
