Misbah-ul-Haq rubbishes retirement rumours, says wants to tour England as skipper

New Delhi: Pakistan veteran batsman Misbah-ul-Haq is continuing with his stint in domestic cricket in order to play Test series against England in July 2016.

The skipper of the national side showed his class with a match-winning innings of 85 and 60 in the day-and-night five-day final of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.

The skipper has been honest to state that he is playing domestic cricket with a view to tour England and lead the side.

“The reason I am playing domestic cricket is because I want to tour England and lead the side,” Misbah stated on Wednesday.

The talk of retirement surrounds the senior batsman as he had stated earlier of retiring from Test cricket after the home series against England in 2015.

Misbah went on to add that he sees the tour of England as a big challenge for Pakistan and wants to see Pakistan as a top Test nation.

Misbah's presence in the domestic campaign has been a bright affair with the veteran showing his hunger at the age of 41. Misbah's captaincy saw Sui Northern Gas team win their third successive Quaid Trophy title.

But Misbah was critical of the youngsters in the side and stated that they need to understand there are no short cuts in Test cricket. He also pointed out that batsmen need to be prepared to bat atleast three sessions to get a hundred.

He further added that the batsmen need to show patience and shouldn't try for big hits after two or three deliveries.

(With Agency inputs)