Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq received the ICC Test Championship mace for leading the side to the top of the ICC Test Team Rankings for the first time since the current rankings system was introduced in 2003. ICC Chief Executive David Richardson presented the mace to Misbah at the Gaddafi Stadium.

Pakistan are only the fifth side after Australia, England, India and South Africa to top the ICC Test rankings, while Misbah is the ninth captain to lift the mace after Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Steve Smith (all Australia), Mahendra Singh Dhoni (India), Andrew Strauss (England), Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla (both South Africa).

“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.

Number two ranked India will host New Zealand in a three-Test series, starting tomorrow, and if they win it, they will move to the top of the table even before Pakistan begin their three-Test series against the West Indies on October 13.

The two-Test series between Bangladesh and fourth-ranked England begins in Chittagong on October 20, while South Africa will play against third-ranked Australia in Australia, where the first Test will commence in Perth on November 3.

These fixtures will take place in the run-up to the annual cut-off date on April 1. The side that will top the ICC Test Team Rankings on April 1 will also receive a cash award of USD 1 million, while the second placed side will collect USD 500,000 and the third and fourth sides will get USD 200,000 and USD 100,000, respectively.