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Misbah-ul-Haq receives ICC Test Championship mace

Dunya News

ICC Chief Executive David Richardson handed over the mace to the star player.

LAHORE (Web Desk) - Pakistan Test captain Misbahul Haq on Wednesday has received Test mace by International Cricket Council (ICC) at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

According to details, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson handed over the mace to the star player and lauded his contributions to the cricket.

Mr 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.

“It is all the more impressive that it has reached the number-one Test ranking despite not being able to play a series in front of its home crowd since March 2009.

“On behalf of the ICC, I want to congratulate the Pakistan cricket team and Misbah-ul-Haq in particular for the way he has led his side. I hope that the team continues to go from strength to strength. A strong Pakistan side is good for international cricket.”
Mr Richardson said the upcoming weeks will continue to be as exciting and entertaining for Test cricket fans.

Pakistan captain Misbah said it was befitting that the mace presentation was taking place there.

“There can’t be a better location to receive the ICC Test Championship mace than this ground where we last played a home Test seven years ago,” said Misbah. “It is ironic for both the players as well as the fans that the journey to the number-one position has been outside Pakistan.

“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.”
Misbah added he was delighted to hold the mace in the twilight of his career.

Test mace is given to the captain of the world’s number one Test team and it is for the first time a Pakistani captain has received it.

Also Read: Pakistan ranked number-one Test side for the first time

Pakistan achieved number-one Test ranking for the first time since the current rankings system was introduced in 2003 after it played a two-all draw against England.

Pakistan’s cause was also helped by Sri Lanka, which defeated Australia by 3-0, while a wet ground in Port of Spain denied India the opportunity to defend the top spot as it won its four-Test series against the West Indies by 2-0.

It may be mentioned that the mace was produced by the then British Crown Jeweller, Asprey and Garrard, in 2001, which was commissioned to make a distinctive prize designed to stand out from other cricket trophies.

The designers produced a 90cm silver and gold-plated trophy based on a cricket stump as its shank, topped by an orb that represents the cricket world both geographically and through the inclusion of the emblems of all 10 ICC Members that have played Test cricket.

The mace sits on a wooden base with a silver-plated plaque in front with room for engravings of the sides to hold it.
The mace was valued at œ30,000 in 2001 and automatically passes from one team to another as results confirm a change of leadership in the ICC Test Team Rankings table. 

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