Cricket: Path to Pakistan's pride of place

Their accession to the summit began in 2014 with a 2-0 series win over Australia in the UAE

Fighting against all odds, Pakistan have managed to climb to the top of the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test Ranking for the first time since the system was officially introduced in 2003.
Their accession to the summit began in 2014 with a 2-0 series win over Australia in the UAE. 
Since the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in the middle of a Test series, countries have been reluctant to travel to Pakistan. Ergo, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chose the UAE as their home turf and since then they have done extremely well on their 'home-away-from-home' pitches. They have won 11 Tests, drawn seven and suffered defeat only in three Tests. 
For Pakistan's newfound glory on the cricket field, the credit should jointly go to their captain Misbah-ul-Haq and veteran Younis Khan. With their broad bats, the two seasoned campaigners are at the forefront in reviving Pakistan's fortunes. 
Overall, since convincingly thrashing Australia in 2014 at 'home', Pakistan have played 17 matches, winning 10 and losing only 4. 
Pakistan is not only deprived of home matches but have to overcome many other ignominies. It is always a swim against the tide for them. The 2010 betting scandal was probably the lowest point in recent history but neither the terrorists nor the 'traitors' have managed to break this Pakistan team's spirit as they kept playing good cricket and have achieved what no other Pakistani team has ever done. 
Misbah, probably, came as a breath of fresh air to guide Pakistan to glory. Unfortunately, he has never got his due in his own country with fans and media mocking him as 'tuk-tuk', referring to his batting style. 
But this man from Mianwali has been unwavering in his mission to take Pakistan cricket to its pinnacle in the longer version of the game. Unlike some of the other Pakistani cricketing stars, Misbah is neither flashy nor boastful. His debut at 27 was relatively late but was shunned out. Then he staged a comeback at 34 and now at 42, he is going as strong as the youngest Pakistani team member. 
While Misbah and Younis hammered runs with their bats, Yasir Shah's Warne-like leg spins added zip to their attack. The two veterans have scored 3,195 runs in the last 17 Tests, while Yasir has scalped 95 victims with his magical wrist spin. 
We all know the Pakistan team's glory of number one Test ranking could be short-lived as India needs only one Test victory against New Zealand in the three-match series next month at home to overtake Pakistan as the number one Test playing nation. 
The ranking may keep changing every month but for now Pakistan fully deserves the crown that they are wearing for the first time ever.