Sports

In historic first, Pakistan rise to No. 1 in ICC Test rankings

Captain Misbahul says describes the feat as greatest feeling

Sports Desk August 22, 2016

Pakistan Test team. PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan, on Monday, rose to the number one position in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Test team rankings after the match between India and West Indies was drawn.

Pakistan are the fifth country after Australia, England, India and South Africa to become the number one team in Tests.

SCREENSHOT

No greater feeling: Misbahul Haq

Pakistan Test captain Misbah believes there is no greater feeling than becoming the number one Test team in the world.

Twitter celebrates as Pakistan closes in on top Test ranking for first time ever

“There is no greater feeling than to achieve the number-one ranking in the most traditional and purest format of the sport. This is what cricketers play for and want to achieve in their careers,” said Misbah as quoted by the ICC website.

“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. To top the Test table, which boasts some of the best sides and players, is something to be very proud of," he added.

The 42-year-old captain also thanked everyone who helped them go on the top of the Test team rankings table.

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“I want to compliment everyone who has been involved in the process, including all the players, the support personnel, the management, as well as our loyal fans and followers who remained committed to us and continued to back and support the side through the good and not-so-good days," he said.

“For us, the number-one ranking is not a destination but part of a journey. Our long-term objective and strategy is to remain competitive, continue to challenge the top sides with good cricket and once again become the most followed side like the Pakistan teams of yesteryears. If we can achieve these on a consistent basis, then I am sure there will more laurels like this down the line.”

Top ranking testament of Pakistan's consistency in Tests: ICC chief executive

ICC chief executive David Richardson congratulated Pakistan on their rise to the status of the number one team in Tests.

Misbah scores 34-ball century in exhibition match

“Misbah and his side deserve our heartiest congratulations," he said according to the ICC website. "The number-one ranking is well deserved and a testament to the quality of cricket the team has consistently played over the past few years."

“The past few weeks of Test cricket have been incredibly absorbing with some high-quality competitive series being played, exhibiting what is so special about Test cricket. The battle for the top ranking has made it even more exciting for all fans.”

Here is what cricket Twitterati is saying

Congratulations to Misbah, Test team & management on becoming ICC No:1 Test team. You guys deserve it, we all are proud of you. 🇵🇰👍
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) August 22, 2016

Congrats Pakistan - the new No.1 Test team! This Aussie summer is going to be epic... #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/ZlIClWduiM
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 22, 2016

Thank you all for sticking by us thru thick and thin. Credit to the whole team for their hard work. Pakistan tops the table now! #No1
— Yasir Shah (@Shah64Y) August 22, 2016

BREAKING: Pakistan top MRF Tyres ICC Test Rankings for first time: https://t.co/jICu3JHjDR pic.twitter.com/QLlN9pJkoh
— ICC (@ICC) August 22, 2016

Congratulations @captainmisbahpk & whole team for spotted number 1 team in #ICC test ranking #BleedGreen #PakistanCricket #PakistanZindabad
— Asmavia Iqbal (@AsmaviaIqbal16) August 22, 2016

World No. 1 Test Cricket team - Congratulations Team Pakistan #DunyaKoBataaDo pic.twitter.com/esO4FebgN4
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) August 22, 2016

@captainmisbahpk congratulation to team pakistan pic.twitter.com/e5JeXwsOpN
— Bilawal bhatti (@007Bilawal) August 22, 2016

Pakistan climbed to number one spot in the ICC Test Ranking!!
Ćongratulations PAKISTAN🇵🇰
Great work @TheRealPCB @captainmisbahpk👍🏻
— Syeda Nain Fatima Abidi (@SyedaNain18) August 22, 2016

COMMENTS (14)

Delusional | 8 years ago | Reply Dr Asad Sadick, Germany India had already drawn a test in this series. Had they not drawn it they would be leading the series 3-0 and would have retained the position regardless of the outcome of the last test. India had full opportunity to retain the ranking if they hadn't drawn a test against the current 8th-ranked side. Furthermore the last time India toured England the result was 3-1 lost by India compared to Pakistan's drawn series at 2-2 I think it's pretty shallow to call this achievement weak and how you somehow chose to imply that India is a far better team provided they play most of their games with a significant home ground advantage. Well done team green!

Fiz | 8 years ago | Reply SWEET! Thanks everyone involved to bring this about.

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Dr. Asad Sadick, Germany | 8 years ago | Reply Misbah deserves the number one spot on an individual basis as well as a team leader and a team player. But getting the number one spot due to the weather is a bit weak and really not a big deal. India would have surely retained the title if rain hadn't intervened. So lets show the world we can retain this title for a long time to come. That shall be the real test.

Deepak Arora | 8 years ago | Reply True test of a team to stay at this position. Let us see how long it manages to be there.

MJ | 8 years ago | Reply To all the haters of Misbah and fans of Boom Boom ... this is the best revenge.

M.S. | 8 years ago | Reply Shahid Afridi should be ashamed of himself on his remarks about lack of talent in Pakistani players.

MK | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan Test captain Misbah believes there is no greater feeling than becoming the number one Test team in the world. 100% rightly said, without even playing and praying that India - West Indies match ends in a draw so that they come on top, that's the only effort Misbah did PRAY and not PLAY. How long these guys depend on others results, can't they perform to that level as the other teams do. How can they carry this guilt of depending on other teams results. Pathetic, disgusting. This is not sports but stone age thinking.

SYED | 8 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi: Please don't spoil the celebrations. Let the credit goes to whom it belongs. Thank you.

IndianDude | 8 years ago | Reply Couldn't have happened to a good human being and a sportsman, Misbahul Haq, congratulations! A good news for Pakistanis in midst everyday, never-ending of gloom, doom and boom!

Salman Khurram | 8 years ago | Reply Alhumdolillah Can't be more proud of Misbah and all, they have shown mental strength to shed all the negativity which has kept them surrounded for so many years

Ali | 8 years ago | Reply @Adnan Siddiqi - Credit goes to the team, their hard work and performances first. I don't think beaurucrats need to be lauded without mention of anybody else.

Faisal | 8 years ago | Reply Congratulations to the Pakistan team and fellow Pakistanis! This is indeed a great achievement and what makes it sweeter is the odds against which this has been achieved.

H.A.Khan | 8 years ago | Reply Congratulations. Nation is proud of our team.

Adnan Siddiqi | 8 years ago | Reply Excellent job Najam Sethi and Shahryar Khan!

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