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
Pakistan backs peace efforts in Yemen, warns factions on ground against unilateral actions
- Foreign office reaffirms Pakistan’s firm commitment to Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity
- Pakistani administration also expresses solidarity with Saudi Arabia amid regional tensions
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Thursday said it welcomed regional efforts to ease tensions in Yemen and strongly opposed unilateral actions by any faction on the ground that could undermine peace or regional stability.
The development takes place after the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen said it carried out a “limited” airstrike on Dec. 30, targeting two shipments of smuggled weapons and military equipment sent from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) port of Fujairah to Mukalla in southern Yemen.
Addressing a weekly news briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi reiterated support and firm commitment to the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen.
“In this regard, Pakistan strongly opposes unilateral steps by any Yemeni party that may further escalate the situation, undermine peace efforts and threaten peace and stability of Yemen, as well as that of the region,” he said.
“Pakistan welcome regional efforts for de-escalation of the situation in maintaining peace and stability in Yemen.”
Andrabi highlighted that Pakistan supported a peaceful resolution in Yemen through dialogue and diplomacy, hoping that Yemenis and regional powers work together toward an “inclusive and lasting settlement.”
On Wednesday, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reaffirmed “complete solidarity” with Saudi Arabia during a phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman following Riyadh’s weapon shipment bombing in Yemen.
The Saudi airstrike on a UAE shipment in Yemen’s southern port city of Mukalla followed rising tensions linked to advances by the Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council in the war-torn country.
Saudi Arabia, a major oil supplier to Pakistan, has provided billions in loans to help manage its economic crisis. The two countries have also signed a mutual defense pact last September, treating an attack on one as an attack on both.
