Misbah-ul-Haq has called on Pakistan to raise their game as he bids to lead his side to the top of the Test rankings.
The Pakistanis have become cricket’s answer to the Harlem Globetrotters, playing every Test either overseas or in their adopted home of the UAE since terrorists in Lahore attacked buses carrying the Sri Lankan team and match officials in 2009.
Astonishingly, despite that handicap, Pakistan will become the world’s No 1 Test team if they beat England — although they must hope Australia fail to come from 1-0 down to win their series in Sri Lanka. It is the bait their captain Misbah is dangling before his players ahead of today’s third Test at Edgbaston after their limp showing in the second Test at Old Trafford, where they slumped to a 330-run defeat.
‘This Test is really important for us,’ said Misbah. ‘And if you look at the rankings, if we can win this Test match we can be No 1 in the world. So it’s a big chance for us. We have to press ourselves and show some responsibility.’
The Pakistanis were stung by the reaction of their South African coach Mickey Arthur after the surrender in Manchester. He made it clear a repeat would not be tolerated.
‘I think his anger was appropriate,’ said Misbah. ‘The players were also unhappy that, after an outstanding performance, we were nowhere in the next game.’
But there is a wider context than the prospect of topping the rankings. With every year that passes without a Test match in Karachi, Lahore or Faisalabad, cricket in Pakistan dies a little death. ‘It can really hurt your overall development as a cricketing nation,’ said Misbah. – Daily Mail