Dream of day when we can play at home: Misbah

Test skipper receives ceremonial mace, hopes Pakistan isolation will end soon

LAHORE: Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq hopes international cricket will soon return to the country as he celebrated the team’s climb to the top of the Test rankings by being awarded the ceremonial mace to mark the achievement yesterday.

It was a poignant occasion for the 42-year-old Misbah as he accepted the silver and gold-plated trophy at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, a venue where Pakistan played their last Test on home soil.

An attack on the Sri Lanka team bus in the city in 2009 led to Pakistan’s exclusion from hosting major international tours with the side forced to play ‘home’ games in the United Arab Emirates ever since.

“There can’t be a better location to receive the ICC Test Championship mace than this ground,” said Misbah after receiving the trophy from International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive David Richardson.



He further added, “It is ironic for both the players as well as the fans that the journey to the number one position has been [made] outside Pakistan. The players have missed out on the crowd support, while the spectators have been unable to watch some magnificent team and individual performances live. But I am confident that things will change and international cricket will soon return to Pakistan.”

The Lahore incident saw the Sri Lankan touring party set upon by at least 10 gunmen, who wounded six players and a British coach, and killed eight Pakistanis in the attack.

Undaunted by the isolation, Misbah’s men have recently beaten Australia and England in the UAE, drawn with New Zealand, and earned impressive away series wins in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh before this year’s 2-2 draw in England.

Pakistan were then elevated to number one in the rankings without bowling a ball after table-topping India were denied the 3-0 series win they needed to retain top spot against West Indies last month when the final Test ended in a damp draw.

“The next target we have set for ourselves is to finish as the number one ranked Test side at the April 1 cut-off date,” said Misbah, referring to the prize money on offer to the ranking leaders on that day. “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.”



Return of international cricket not in ICC’s control, ICC chief

Richardson stated that the governing body of the game was keen on seeing action return to Pakistan cricket grounds and stadiums but convincing security experts from around the world was presently the main obstacle.

“Security concerns are prevalent in many places in the world and Pakistan have perhaps been hardest hit. ICC members have always tried to support them and have been willing to play in Dubai,” he said. “It’s not the ICC that needs convincing, it is the security experts and consultants who are advising the players, the boards and the umpires who need to be convinced and that is unfortunately out of our control.”

Richardson observed that security agencies in Pakistan are making a real effort in cleansing the country from the ills of terrorism and hoped that the efforts will eventually pave the way for international cricket to resume in the country.

“I am sure that the Pakistan Cricket Board and the government are doing everything possible to persuade people and I hope that we will have international cricket teams willing to return to Pakistan soon. We will be glad if and when that happens,” he added.

(with additional input from ICC press release)

Published in The Express Tribune, September 22^nd, 2016.

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