RAWALPINDI: Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq has his eye on a top-three world ranking for the national side in all formats of the game following their first Test series win over South Africa since 2003.
Pakistan earned a hard-fought 95-run victory in the second Test in Rawalpindi on Monday to claim the two-match series 2-0.
Misbah — whose position as head coach was in danger after a 2-0 defeat in the preceding series in New Zealand — said his team were now heading in the right direction.
“The ultimate goal is to be number one in Tests and top three in other formats,” Misbah told reporters on a video call Tuesday.
“We have been telling the players about this target all through.”
It was under Misbah’s captaincy in 2016 that Pakistan were ranked the number one Test team for the only time. They topped the Twenty20 rankings in 2018, a year after his retirement.
Misbah also praised all-format captain Babar Azam, now regarded as one of the world’s best batsmen.
“We are heading in the right direction and this win over South Africa has boosted the team’s confidence under a new skipper who is developing with every game,” said Misbah.
Pakistan next plays three Twenty20 internationals against South Africa in Lahore on February 11, 13 and 14.
After that they will tour South Africa for a limited-overs series in April, followed by a short Test and Twenty20 series in Zimbabwe.
They are also scheduled to play the West Indies in an away series and host Australia, England and New Zealand in the next two years.
Pakistan coach Misbah aims high after South Africa sweep
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Pakistan coach Misbah aims high after South Africa sweep
- Has his eye on a top-three world ranking for the national side in all formats of the game
- It was under Misbah’s captaincy in 2016 that Pakistan ranked number one Test team for the only time
At least six killed in roof collapse in Pakistan’s northwest
- Five others trapped under the rubble were rescued and shifted to hospital, rescue official says
- Roof collapses are a recurring hazard in Pakistan often due to poor construction, aging buildings
ISLAMABAD: At least six people, including women and children, were killed and five others injured after dilapidated roof of a house collapsed in Pakistan’s northwestern Charsadda district, a rescue official said on Sunday.
The roof collapse occurred in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda, trapping several people, who had come to attend a wedding, under the rubble, according to local media reports.
A Rescue 1122 spokesman said their teams immediately rushed to the site, rescued five people and retrieved bodies of the deceased.
“Rescue 1122 personnel removed the debris with utmost caution and evacuated the affected people, who were transferred to a nearby hospital,” the spokesman said.
Roof collapses are a recurring hazard across Pakistan. Many such incidents are linked to poor construction practices, aging buildings, and a lack of adherence to building codes.
Informal housing settlements and older urban neighborhoods are especially vulnerable as decades-old roofs often fail to withstand prolonged downpours or snowfall.
In a statement, Shafi Jan, adviser to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) chief minister on information, expressed grief over the loss of human lives in the incident.
“The provincial government extends its sympathies and condolences to the families of the deceased,” he said.
