ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has been ranked number one Test cricket captain by a British newspaper.
The Telegraph of United Kingdom has published a list of world's best Test captains, who have been rated and ranked according to their leadership skills, major achievements and Test scores. Based on these factors, Haq has been ranked top of the list and called "One of the great captains - ever".
To raise Pakistan cricket, first Misbah had to save it. When he took over the Test captaincy in 2010, Pakistan were the pariahs of world cricket. Three of its players had been banned for spot-fixing. The game was on the verge of collapse. Out of this, Misbah crafted one of Pakistan's most successful teams in history. Under his unflappable, cerebral leadership, Pakistan have beaten Australia and England, won in Sri Lanka and ascended to number three in the world, and all without being able to play at home. All the while, Misbah has averaged 50 with the bat and scored the joint-fastest Test century of all time.
Brendon McCullum, who rebuilt New Zealand from the humiliation of being bowled out for 45 by South Africa and took them to the brink of World Cup glory has been positioned second by the paper. Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews has been placed at number three, Mushfiqur Rahim of Bangladesh at number four, Alastair Cook of England at number five, Hashim Amla of South Africa at number six and India's Virat Kohli at number seven.
This list is not according to the official ranking of International Cricket Council (ICC).