Misbah-ul-Haq receives Pakistan's first-ever ICC Test Championship mace

Courtesey Twitter (@ICC)

New Delhi: Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was on Wednesday presented with the coveted ICC Test Championship mace for leading his side to the summit of the rankings.

Misbah received the mace from ICC Chief Executive David Richardson at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

"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. 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 veteran batsman was quoted as saying by the official ICC website.

Pakistan became only the fifth team after Australia, England, India and South Africa to claim top spot in ICC's Test rankings.

Misbah follows notable names like Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith (all Australia), MS Dhoni (India), Andrew Strauss (England), Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla (both South Africa) to inspire his side to this incredible feat.

Virat Kohli's India have a chance to displace Pakistan from the top with a win over New Zealand in the upcoming series.

Pakistan too will feature in a three-match Test series against West Indies starting from 13 October. 

The team which retains top spot on April 1 2017, will receive a cash award of $1million. The second and third placed sides will get  $500,000 and $200,000 respectively.