It was indeed historic moment in the history of Pakistan cricket when on Wednesday Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq was presented with the ICC Test Championship mace by ICC Chief Executive David Richardson at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Cool and calm Misbah became the first Pakistani captain to be honoured with the Test mace, which is awarded to the world’s best side in Test cricket. Pakistan became top Test team recently after showing great determination and spirit to level the series against England 2-2 on English soil. International Cricket Council introduced rankings system in 2003 to judge performance of teams. But Pakistan never achieved the top ranking until recent England series. It is great achievement in itself but looking at the fact that Pakistan team is unable to play international Test match in Pakistan from last seven years, this achievement seems much more jubilant.
Along with Misbah, other players including most runs scorer for Pakistan in Test cricket Younis Khan played vital role to take the Test team at great height. Spot fixing saga of 2010 was very tragic for all the Pakistani cricket fans, they were dejected. But players under leadership of Pakistan’s most successful Test captain Misbah ul Haq put the team on winning track to achieve the glory. We should also appreciate captain and team management to promote soft image of Pakistan cricket and for keeping it away from any infamous incident or controversy.
Over unprecedented success of Pakistan in longest format of the game, cricket pundits from all over the world are praising Pakistan. We hope that ODI and T20 teams would also take some aspirations from successes of Test team and improve rankings in the respective formats.