Proud Misbah receives Test mace for No 1 position

Pakistan Test captain is confident his team will remain consistent enough to retain top rank, hopes isolation will end soon

KARACHI: Symbolically, it was a big day for Pakistan cricket on Wednesday when Misbah-ul-Haq proudly received the ICC Test Championship mace in Lahore.

But Pakistan’s Test captain wasn’t carried away by the momentous occasion as instead of just basking in the glory he talked about the fact that getting to number one is always easier than staying there.

“The next target we have set for ourselves is to finish as the number one ranked Test side at the April 1 cutoff date,” said Misbah after receiving the mace from ICC’s chief executive David Richardson.

He was referring to annual cut-off date as the team that tops the ICC Test Team Rankings on April 1 will also receive a cash award of $1million, while the second placed side will collect $500,000. The third and fourth placed sides will receive $200,000 and $100,000, respectively.

More than the prize money, Misbah was interested in finding ways and means to keep Pakistan ahead of teams like old rivals India, whom they lead by a narrow margin in the ICC Test rankings.

“It is not going to be easy as we have series against formidable sides like the West Indies, New Zealand and Australia.

“But instead of getting overawed by our opponents, we need to trust in our abilities, focus on our strengths and try to be as consistent as possible,” he stressed.

Pakistan face a challenge to hold on to their No. 1 status. India, presently No. 2, will displace Pakistan if they beat New Zealand in the upcoming three-Test series on home soil. Pakistan’s next Test series is in October against West Indies in the UAE.

Misbah underlined the sad fact that Pakistan have played all their matches on foreign soil in their successful campaign to the top of the rankings.

“There is nothing better than being No. 1 in the Test rankings,” the 42-year-old batsman said. “It’s one of the best days in my life; the happiest day in my cricketing career. And there can’t be a better location to receive the ICC Test Championship mace than this ground where we last played a home Test seven years ago. It is ironic for both the players as well as the fans that the journey to the No. 1 position has been outside Pakistan.”

He hoped that international cricket will return to Pakistan soon.

“The players have missed on the crowd support, while the spectators have been unable to watch live some magnificent team and individual performances. But I am confident that things will change and international cricket will soon return to Pakistan.

“I would like to congratulate everyone who has been part of this achievement and part of this journey; every individual, every coach, every selector who has worked hard for this No. 1 position.

“The families of the players have really sacrificed a lot too. We have to spend almost six to seven months out of the country without them and that’s difficult [for both parties]. Credit should be given to the families. It’s a proud moment for all of us and I hope we can go together at the top for a long period.”

Misbah said that he was delighted to hold the mace in the twilight of his career.

“It has always been a dream to lift an ICC trophy as captain. To be only the ninth international captain to achieve this honour in the traditional format of the game is something to be very proud of. This mace is a reward for the efforts and hard work of each and every individual who has been part of this group over the past few years.”

Pakistan are only the fifth team after Australia, England, India and South Africa to top the ICC Test rankings, while Misbah is the ninth captain to lift the mace after Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith (all Australia), MS Dhoni (India), Andrew Strauss (England), Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla (both South Africa).

Meanwhile, Richardson heaped praise on Pakistan calling them deserving recipients of the mace.

“Being part of a team that is ranked No.1 in Test cricket is a pinnacle achievement for any cricketer. Pakistan is a deserving recipient of the mace,” he said.

“It is all the more impressive that it has reached the number-one Test ranking despite not being able to play a series in front of its home crowd since March 2009.

“Today is all about the team, today it’s all about Misbah. One of the things that makes Pakistan one of the most watchable teams in the world is the fact that they’ve got a man for all occasions. They’ve got batsmen who can deal with a tight situation, and on the bowling side, you can’t prepare seaming wickets against them because they’ve got the seamers to exploit those conditions, left-arm and the right-arm and of course you’ve got a world class legspinner, so you’ve got all the ingredients for a top team and we are looking forward to Pakistan if not staying at No. 1 then certainly challenging for good many years to come. A strong Pakistan side is good for international cricket.”

Richardson said the upcoming weeks will continue to be as exciting and entertaining for Test cricket fans.

“The top four ranked sides are separated by just three points and they will be playing in the coming weeks. The contest for the number-one position gives great context to the upcoming series, providing fascinating entertainment for followers of the Test cricket,” he said.

Pakistan’s Test series against the West Indies will begin in Dubai on 13 October, while Christchurch will be the venue of the first of the two-match series on November 17. The three-Test series in Australia will start with the day/night Test in Brisbane on December 15.