ICC Awards 2016: Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq becomes first Pakistani cricketer to win Spirit of Cricket Award

Dubai: Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has picked International Cricket Council (ICC) Spirit of Cricket Award 2016 for inspiring his country briefly to number one spot in the Test rankings.

The 42-year-old guided his side to the top of the Test rankings for the first time earlier this year after they drew a four-match Test series against England 2-2.Remarkably, the feat was achieved without playing any Test matches in his home country.

With this, Misbah becomes the first Pakistan player to win the award with the previous winners being Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2011), Daniel Vettori (2012), Mahela Jayawardena (2013), Katherine Brunt (2014) and Brendon McCullum (2015).

New Zealand also won this award in 2004, 2009 and 2010, England in 2005 and 2006, and Sri Lanka in 2007 and 2008.Commenting on the same, Misbah said, “I feel honoured and humbled to have won the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award.

“To lift the Test mace earlier this year and now this in the twilight of my career, is a message for every athlete that age is not a barrier as long as the sportsperson maintains highest fitness levels and continues to perform up to international standards.”

“As a team, we have focused on playing within the rich traditions of the sport with a positive mindset and approach so that we can entertain the spectators and fans, and at the same time, challenge the oppositions. I am glad that this has been noticed and recognised by the game`s governing body.”