KARACHI: Pakistan deserve to be the number one Test team in the world because of the impressive manner in which they have faced and defeated the top teams of the game during the past few years.

This was stated by former chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed Sallu here on Tuesday as he showered praise on Misbah-ul-Haq and his men following their elevation to the world number spot in the ICC Test rankings for the first ever time on Monday.

Highlighting the reasons for Pakistan’s rise to the top position, Sallu said the credit must be given to Misbah and his players for their determination and skills that they have displayed in recent times. “I remember well how turbulent a period it was when Misbah took over the reins of the Test side in 2010, soon after the infamous spot-fixing scam in London,” said Sallu.

“Any lesser mortal would have shied away from the huge challenge that confronted our Test team at the time, but hats off to Misbah for coming forward and resurrecting the team’s fortunes in these past five or six years.”

Sallu said the way Misbah withstood the pressure and made tireless efforts to raise a disciplined, competitive team has finally paid off with the status of world Test champions now being accorded to Pakistan. “His (Misbah’s) captaincy tenure has not only seen unprecedented success of this team but has largely been controversy free which has raised the nation’s image tremendously.”

Sallu also credited the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for believing in the players and for showing wisdom in tackling many thorny issues that have faced Pakistan cricket.

“Despite the absence of any cricket at home during the past six years, I must say that Chairman Shaharyar Khan and Executive Committee head Najam Sethi have managed things wonderfully well in the PCB and have backed the team throughout by bringing in the best of support staff, coaches and facilities that went a long way in restoring the confidence of the players and helped them to emerge as the best,” said Sallu who holds the world record for being national selector for ten times.

“I once again hail my players including captain Misbah, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Yasir Shah, Wahab Riaz, Sarfraz Ahmed and all the other for their marvellous show in England and against other teams during the past few years. Besides, I also feel that coach Mickey Arthur, manager Intikhab Alam and chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq also deserve high praise for their efforts to revitalise the team. It is really important now for Pakistan to maintain their supremacy from hereon and retain the top position,” he concluded.

Published in Dawn, August 24th, 2016