SOUTHAMPTON: The former coach and current manager of Pakistan cricket team Intikhab Alam has termed Pakistan’s rise to number one in ICC Test ranking as the “greatest achievement” by the young and struggling team in recent years.

Talking to a private Pakistani TV channel in Rose Bowl, Southampton, Intikhab Alam said that being number one in ICC Test Ranking is a great achievement, especially considering the conditions Pakistan cricket has been in for the past eight years.

“Since the attack on Sri Lankan team, no team has visited Pakistan. We are forced to play games away from home…which is very frustrating for PCB, players and also for the fans,” he said.

“But, determined players didn’t let this situation overshadow their performance, they fought against the odds to silence those who said Pakistan cricket team would not be able to survive, and achieved the greatest milestone,” said the team manager.

Alam also praised Misbah-ul-Haq for his remarkable captaincy during the period, adding that Misbah deserves a huge credit for what the Pakistani team has achieved.

“Misbah is the best captain ever, he’s very hard working and humble. Players respect him a lot and he maintains a good atmosphere within the team,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s former captain Shoaib Malik and fast bowler Wahab Riaz have said that they feel proud to be part of the team which has become the number one test side and aimed that the ODI squad will take the lead from Test squad to produce better results in future series.

“It is a great feeling, we have really worked hard to achieve this spot, to become the number one, and I am really proud to be a part of this team,” fast bowler Wahab Riaz said after team’s training session in Southampton.

“It is great to be number one, but I also believe that it is a high time that we work harder to stay on this position,” said the former Pakistani skipper Shoaib Malik.

“ODI team can also take the inspiration from the success of Test squad. The key to success of the Test team was consistency and I hope if we remain consistent in ODIs then we will also achieve better results very soon,” Malik added.