LONDON — Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq said his side will deserve to be the world’s top-ranked Test team after it came from behind to draw a four-match series 2-2 in England.
Its 10-wicket thrashing of the host in the fourth and final Test at the Oval Sunday gave Pakistan, currently third in the standings, a chance of climbing to the top of the table.
But for that to happen later this month it needs Sri Lanka to win 2-0 or 3-0 at home to Australia, coupled with a 2-0 or 2-1 series win for India away to the West Indies.
Pakistan’s achievement is all the more impressive as it has not played a Test series on home soil since an attack on Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore in 2009.
The United Arab Emirates has since become its adopted base.
But for all its success in conditions similar to those on home soil,
Pakistan often finds itself facing in the dispiriting position of playing before meager crowds rather than in front of its own passionate supporters.
“This team deserves that (going to No. 1) for six years of no cricket at home, sometimes people think it’s easy — the UAE suits us, we win — but just getting every day away from the country, without family and friends and all games out of Pakistan, it’s really difficult,” Misbah told reporters at the Oval Sunday after Pakistan won with more than a day to spare.
“It’s mentally tough — I’ve only seen my mother and sister once in a year, some friends I haven’t seen for three or four years.
“It’s not easy, given those circumstances but the team is playing competitive cricket.
“I am really proud of them and this team really deserves to be No. 1.”
Pakistan’s success at the Oval — which was achieved on the 69th anniversary of the country’s foundation as an independent state — was built on a brilliant 218 by Younis Khan, a hundred from Asad Shafiq and five second-innings wickets for leg-spinner Yasir Shah.
It was an especially impressive result given that after their 75-run win in the first Test at Lord’s — where 42-year-old skipper Misbah made a hundred — Pakistan had suffered heavy defeats, by 330 and 141 runs, at Old Trafford and Edgbaston respectively.
But Misbah was even happier with his side’s conduct on its first tour of England since a controversial trip in 2010 saw often strained Anglo-Pakistani cricket relations sink to an all-time low.
There were no on-field flare-ups between Misbah’s men and an England side led by Alastair Cook.
“Cricket matches are won and lost but to win audience, people, supporters — that’s important,” said Misbah, who took over as captain six years ago.
“This series has been (played) in good spirits, both teams fought well.
“There were no off field issues — we are happy to conclude on a pleasing note, 2-2, everyone enjoyed it, we made friends on and off the field.”
Cook added: “It’s been a great series to be part of, two good teams playing good cricket and for once with Pakistan and England we’ve just talked about the cricket.”
