Misbah receives Pakistan's first-ever ICC Test Championship mace

LAHORE (92 News) – Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was on Wednesday presented with the coveted International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Championship mace for leading his side to the summit of the rankings. Misbah received the mace from ICC Chief Executive David Richardson at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Pakistan's Test captain has expressed confidence in international cricket returning to the country soon, and said it was ironic his team's rise to No. 1 in the ICC rankings had to be accomplished without home-crowd support. The ICC chief executive David Richardson presented Misbah with the Test mace at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday, after Pakistan had risen to No. 1 for the first time since the current Test rankings were introduced in 2003, by virtue of their 2-2 draw in England this summer. Pakistan became only the fifth team after Australia, England, India and South Africa to claim top spot in ICC's Test rankings. “The players have missed on the crowd support, while the spectators have been unable to watch live some magnificent team and individual performances. But I am confident that things will change and international cricket will soon return to Pakistan.” Richardson congratulated the Pakistan cricket team, saying: “The ICC Test Championship mace is a symbol of excellence and a recognition of a side’s outstanding performance in the purest format of the game. Being part of a team that is ranked No.1 in Test cricket is a pinnacle achievement for any cricketer. Pakistan is a deserving recipient of the mace.