Sir: Pakistan could rise to number one in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings depending on how the fourth Test match between West Indies and India in Port of Spain pans out. Pakistan will be number one for the first time since the official rankings were introduced in 2003. The highest Pakistan has ever reached is the second position following its series win over England in the United Arab Emirates last year. Pakistan Cricket Board should encourage its players to play county league cricket to adjust to the English conditions because there are many important events lined up over the next few years in England. ICC Champions Trophy will be held in England in June 2017, while Pakistan will also travel there for two Test matches in 2018. Furthermore, it will play ODI and T20 games in England in 2019, which will be followed by the ICC Cricket World Cup in the same year in England. Therefore, the next three years are crucial for Pakistan considering the number of games in conditions most of our players are not acquainted with. The PCB should take steps to get county cricket contracts for its players as well as arrange A-team tours to prepare youngsters. GHAZANFAR ALI KHAN Karachi