Pakistani Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was awarded the International Cricket Council’s Spirit of Cricket Award 2016 for inspiring Pakistan briefly to No. 1 in the Test rankings, the world cricket governing body announced on Thursday (today).
The 42-year-old became the first Pakistani to bag International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Spirit of Cricket Award
“The 42-year-old was adjudged the winner for inspiring his side to play the game in its true spirit, at the same time lifting the Pakistan cricket team from number four to number one on the ICC Test team rankings. Remarkably, this was achieved without playing any Test matches in his home country,” read an ICC media release.
The Pakistani Test side rose to the number one spot on the ICC Test rankings during his captaincy this year, that too in a time when Pakistan only plays international cricket away from home.
Inspirational words from Misbah-ul-Haq, winner of the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award 2016 #SpiritofCricket #ICCAwards pic.twitter.com/duYsSQyz8U
— ICC (@ICC) December 22, 2016
Misbah is the first ever Pakistani to win the award. Previous winners include MS Dhoni (2011), Daniel Vettori (2012), Mahela Jayawardena (2013), Katherine Brunt (2014) and Brendon McCullum (2015).
FULL STORY: Misbah-ul-Haq wins the Spirit of Cricket Award; Marais Erasmus is named Umpire of the Year in #ICCAwards https://t.co/CrI8UfmDlJ pic.twitter.com/GiW7lgjBUZ
— ICC (@ICC) December 22, 2016
According to ICC’s official website, Misbah reacted to the news, saying, “I feel honoured and humbled to have won the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award.”
“To lift the Test mace earlier this year and now this in the twilight of my career, is a message for every athlete that age is not a barrier as long as the sportsperson maintains highest fitness levels and continues to perform up to international standards,” the skipper added.
Talking about team strategy, Misbah said, “As a team, we have focused on playing within the rich traditions of the sport with a positive mindset and approach so that we can entertain the spectators and fans, and at the same time, challenge the oppositions.”
“I am glad that this has been noticed and recognised by the game’s governing body,” he concluded.
Earlier this year Misbah cheekily dropped to his hands and knees and did 10 push-ups in quick succession after he became the oldest Test centurion in 82 years at England’s famous Lord’s cricketing ground.
“That was my promise to the army guys,” Misbah explained later in a press conference.
Last month he also made history on Nov 18 by becoming the first Pakistani to play 50 matches as Test captain at the Hagley Oval ground in Christchurch against the Kiwis.