Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq changed into supplied with the test Championship mace on Wednesday (September 21), after his side's 2-2 draw in the four-in shape series in England final month took them to the top of the ICC rankings for the first time. "It has always been a dream to raise an ICC trophy as captain," Misbah said. "To be best the 9th worldwide captain to attain this honour within the traditional layout of the game is something to be very pleased with. This mace is a praise for the efforts and hard paintings of every and each character who has been part of this group over the last few years." David Richardson, the ICC leader executive, presented the mace to Misbah on the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore which pleased the skipper. He praised his teammates for his or her efforts in spite of having no longer played a unmarried take a look at at home for more than seven years. "There can't be a higher area to receive the ICC check Championship mace than this ground wherein we closing performed a home test seven years ago," he remarked. "it's far ironic for both the players as well as the lovers that the adventure to the number one position has been outside Pakistan. "The players have ignored on the gang assist, at the same time as the spectators had been not able to look at, stay, a few surprising group and individual performances. but i'm confident that things will alternate and worldwide cricket will quickly go back to Pakistan." Pakistan's subsequent test venture is against West Indies subsequent month in Dubai following which they will play tests in New Zealand and Australia. Misbah hopes his aspect can keep being regular that allows you to hold their spot on the top. "the next target we've set for ourselves is to finish as the wide variety-one ranked test facet at the 1 April reduce-off date," he stated. "It isn't going to be smooth as we've collection against formidable aspects like the West Indies, New Zealand and Australia. however instead of getting overawed by our warring parties, we need to consider in our skills, recognition on our strengths and attempt to be as steady as viable." Richardson then went on to congratulate Pakistan and expressed pleasure at the chance of the pinnacle four groups contesting for the top spot within the coming weeks. "On behalf of the ICC, I need to congratulate the Pakistan cricket crew and Misbah-ul-Haq especially for the way he has led his side," he stated. "i'm hoping that the team keeps to move from power to power. A sturdy Pakistan aspect is right for global cricket. it's far all the greater mind-blowing that it has reached the quantity-one check rating in spite of not being able to play a series in front of its home crowd considering that March 2009. "The pinnacle four ranked aspects are separated with the aid of simply three points and they may be playing within the coming weeks. the competition for the primary position offers superb context to the imminent series, offering fascinating leisure for fans of the take a look at cricket." The 57-yr-old additionally expressed self assurance that global cricket will go back to Pakistan within the close to future. "it is in reality pretty smooth so that you can convince me that worldwide cricket returns to Pakistan, however alas it's no longer me or the ICC that wishes to be convinced," Richardson stated. "it's the safety experts, it's the safety experts who're advising the gamers who're advising the groups and that's surely out of our manage. I recognise that the Pakistan authorities and the PCB are doing something they are able to to try to persuade the people and make safety scenario higher in Pakistan. pretty quickly we're going to get to a situation in which teams are willing to play international cricket in Pakistan."