Lavishing praise on skipper Misbah-ul-Haq for Pakistan's recent rise in Test cricket, batsman Asad Shafiq has said that it was because of the former's dedication, sincerity and calm leadership that the team had surged to the top of the world ranking for the first time.
Admitting that Misbah had led by example, the 30-year-old believes the skipper had played a stellar role in restoring the image of the country in the cricketing world since the 2010 spot-fixing scandal.
Shafiq emphasized that Misbah's presence as a leader was the best thing that has happened to Pakistan cricket, adding that he expected the players to show the same enthusiasm and passion both on and off the field as him.
Shafiq, however, could not stop him gushing over the entire squad for taking Pakistan to the top despite not playing at home since 2009.
Pakistan topped the ICC rankings after the wet ground at the Queen Park Oval, Port of Spain denied India the opportunity to defend the top spot which it had reclaimed from Australia a week before.
Misbah's side have become only the fifth team after Australia, England, India and South Africa to top the ICC Test rankings since these were introduced in 2003.
The battle for the number-one ranking between the two traditional rivals will resume in September-October when New Zealand will visit India and Pakistan will host the West Indies in the UAE. Both the series will be three-Test rubbers.
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