The lack of action meant India won the four-test series 2-0 but surrendered top spot in the International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings to Pakistan, less than a week after taking over the number one position from Australia.
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The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) and the Queen’s Park Cricket Club have launched a joint investigation into the events which led to the fourth Test between West Indies and India to end in a draw due to soggy outfield conditions. Pakistan have also been forced to play their home matches in the United Arab Emirates since an armed attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in 2009.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan branded the rise “historic”.
It capped a remarkable rise for Misbah-ul-Haq’s team which was almost thrown out of the global arena over a spot-fixing scandal on their tour of England in 2010.
New coach Mickey Arthur stressed the work has just begun.
“People may say that it’s easier to get there than to remain there, so we need to keep that momentum and improve in one-dayers”.
The Windies were 62-2 in their first innings when heavy rain in Port of Spain on the island of Trinidad cut short play on day one at the Queen’s Park Oval.
Offering his heartfelt congratulations to the team, Miandad said that he felt really proud to see Pakistan reaching the significant milestone while admitting that it was a great achievement for Misbah and his team, PakPassion.net reported. He has been able to mould a side with plenty of fighting spirit and while it may not be blessed with the kind of natural brilliance and flair that was the hallmark of the team of the ’90s, the present Test stars have achieved their success through hard work and determination. The crowning glory was the massive victory over England at the Oval, which squared the four-match series 2-2 and enabled Pakistan to climb the number two spot behind India. “We as a nation are all proud of this achievement”.
“It’s the greatest moment of my career”, he told AFP, thanking “everyone involved in the game”.
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“We can not bring worldwide cricket (to the country) but we have brought the No1 rankings”, said Abdul Qayyum. “This has proved that we deserve cricket on our home grounds”.
