Pakistan cricket coach Mohsin Khan is confident his team can claim the top Test ranking after humbling England in the second Test to claim victory in the current series.
“I think this team has the capacity to become the world’s best team. Our target should be to gradually come in the top three in both Tests and one-day, and then gradually go to world number one,” Khan told AFP.
Khan’s comments came a day after Pakistan crushed England by 72 runs in the second Test on the back of excellent performances from spinners Abdul Rehman (6-25) and Saeed Ajmal (3-22), restricting the rivals to a low total of 72.
Pakistan now enjoy an unassailable 2-0 lead over England, the current world No.1 Test team, ahead of the third and final Test in Dubai starting on February 3.
They won the first Test by ten wickets, also in Dubai.
Khan, however, warned that Pakistan need to perform well outside the subcontinent to rise from their current place of fifth in the rankings.
“God willing, it can (be) done gradually and hopefully we will touch the top but for that we have to perform well in other parts of the world (England, Australia and South Africa), so that means we have to prove a lot,” said 56-year-old Khan, a former opener.
But Khan — appointed as interim coach after Waqar Younis quit the post in September last year — may not be there as coach as he is likely to be replaced by former Australia batsman Dav Whatmore next month.
“What Mohsin Khan is today is because of Pakistan and Pakistan cricket. My services are always there for my country but I don’t want anybody to take me for granted,” added Khan, refusing to comment on his future.
Khan said he was not surprised by England’s capitulation against spin in both the Tests.
“I think our spinners bowled very well. When we go to England our batsmen struggle against swing and here they struggle against spin, but credit to our spinners as they exploited weaknesses and it needs skill to exploit rivals’ weakness,” said Khan.
Since October 2010 Pakistan have won eight times in 14 Tests, losing only once.
Pakistan have also won three series in a row under Khan.
