Pakistan have risen to No. 1 in the ICC’s Test rankings for the first time since current rankings system was introduced in 2003. They took the top position from India, following India’s washed out Test against West Indies in Trinidad.
Cricket pundits are terming it the great achievement by a team unable to play in home grounds in front of their home supporters since 2009. All the teams enjoy home advantage to play in their own country to make cricket pitches of their own liking. It also attracts the young generation towards the game and paves the way for new emerging sport talent. But from last six years Pakistan have not played single Test match on own soil mainly due to terrorism and are forced to play home series in neutral venues, mostly in UAE.
After infamous incident of spot fixing in 2010, it was hard to believe that Pakistan would be top Test team after some years. Though every team member should be lauded for the efforts but real appreciations should be presented to the Test team captain Misbah-ul-Haq for taking the team at unprecedented heights in the most respected format of the game. Under his leadership Pakistan have achieved great glories, he enjoys great control and respect in the team. His leadership abilities united a scattered team and team also helped him to become the most successful captain of Pakistan Test team with highest number of victories under his belt. Other senior players Younis Khan, Saeed Ajmal, and emerging players Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq and Yasir Shah and others all contributed hugely for the team to achieve all the appreciations.
We hope they keep playing like champions and keep bringing glorious victories to our nation.
