PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain and coach Waqar Younis has termed the team’s rise to number one in the ICC Test Rankings as an unbelievable achievement given they have not played a single Test at home in the last six years and hailed skipper Misbahul Haq.
When Misbah took charge of the team back in 2010, the team was reeling from the spot-fixing debacle and Misbah’s own future was in doubt at that time.
But the side negotiated one hurdle after the other and has emerged as the world’s best after a long and tiring journey.
Waqar was also an integral part of it as he helped Pakistan become a formidable team, winning four out of six series during his tenure.
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“I’m the happiest person right now to see Pakistan as the number one side in the ICC Test Rankings because it took a lot of effort, dedication and sacrifices to reach the top,” Waqar told The Express Tribune.
The legendary pacer was axed earlier this year but holds no grudges. “There are no hard feelings that I’m not with the team at this moment because I can take satisfaction from what I tried to do with this special bunch of players,” he said. “In our era, we had some of the best talent of our history but we couldn’t become number one so this speaks volumes about what this team has done. It has to be one of the biggest achievements in Pakistan cricket.”
The former speed merchant stated that it would be hard to name all those who contributed in this but did highlight Misbah, Younus Khan, Saeed Ajmal and Yasir Shah.
“The credit goes to 20 or 22 players who played during this period and officials who worked with the team,” he said.
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“Ajmal deserves huge credit for this, Misbah for his guidance and leadership qualities, Younus for always stepping up during difficult times and Yasir for his extraordinary exploits at a time when we had lost Ajmal.”
The anti-climactic way in which Pakistan won the mace presented to the world’s best side, with the rain-hit draw in Trinidad between India and West Indies helping Pakistan claim the gong, is of little importance.
“The team truly deserves to be the number Test side in the world for being able to produce results despite being away from home,” added Waqar.
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This is what we play for, says Misbah
Misbah was understandably delighted to become the first Pakistan captain to take his side to the top of the Test rankings. “There is no greater feeling than to achieve the number one ranking in the most traditional and purest format of the sport,” he said. “This is what cricketers play for and want to achieve in their careers.”
The skipper revealed the achievement was something they had been targeting for several years. “Number one ranking is a reward for something we had planned as a group a few years ago and have worked extremely hard to achieve it,” he said. “To top the Test table, which boasts the best sides and players, is something to be very proud of.”
But the 42-year-old is already looking towards the future. “For us, the number one ranking is not the destination but part of the journey,” he said. “Our long-term objective and strategy is to remain competitive, continue to challenge the top teams and once again become the most followed side like the Pakistan teams of yesteryears.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2016.
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