Misbah Ul Haq is the first Pakistan test captain, who has received the test mace from the International Cricket Council (ICC) in Lahore and this test mace is given to the best side in this format. He spoke at the ceremony, which was conducted at Gaddafi stadium and said that this was the very exciting occasion for him and for his team that they have received this honor for their country.
He further said that he was feeling happy with this honor that they are now number one. Pakistan played the test match series against England recently and this test series was drawn with 2-2 and Pakistan got this honor in the longest format of the game. Pakistan team has 111 points and it reached to the top position in the test ranking according to ICC rankings. India is trailing behind Pakistan and it is present at the second position while Australia is at the third position as it shared the points of 108 with England and English team is also present at the same third position.
Misbah talked with media and said that this reward is more satisfying and Pakistan is present on the top position and it played at the test matches on the foreign soils. Pakistan has to play its domestic tour at the foreign grounds of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Pakistan is number one team in test side but it does not enjoy with the home ground advantage.
When Pakistan was playing the home series against Sri Lanka in 2009, then the terrorists attacked on Sri Lanka and seven police officials were killed while seven players were injured in this terrorist attack. As the Pakistan has to play the home series in UAE grounds, so the players missed the home crowd supports and the fans are deprived of watching the match performances live from the ground but the things will be changed in the country soon and they will start watching the international matches. He shared his feelings over this great opportunity that this mace is the reward for his efforts and hard work of every player of the team, who is the part of the team over many years.
The ICC Chief David Richardson presented this mace to the Pak Captain, Misbah Ul Haq and congratulated him and said that this ICC Test Championship mace is the symbol of excellence and recognition of the outstanding performance of a side in this longest format of the game. Pakistan is the deserving recipient of mace and it is impressive that Pakistan has reached to the number one test team and it will resume the international cricket within the country very soon.
The ICC CEO congratulated Pakistan cricket team and Misbah Ul Haq for the way, he led his team and he hoped that his team would continue to play with great strength. It is added that the mace of ICC was valued at £30,000 in 2001 and it is passed from one team to the other when the results confirm the change of leadership in ICC Test Team ranking table.
Pakistan's @captainmisbahpk explains just how great it is to have the ICC Test Championship Mace for the first time in Pakistan's history! pic.twitter.com/LHqlQEpCRH
— ICC (@ICC) September 21, 2016