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Cape Town - Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq continues to bat away questions about his retirement, saying it would be very difficult to replace him in the team, with tricky tours coming up over the next few months.
Misbah has been 'on the brink of retirement' for years, but has always delayed it as he is the anchor of the side's line up, and he says a young captain would find skippering in Australia a daunting prospect.
Misbah, who is 42, said ahead of the fourth Test against England: "It's really difficult for me to leave the team on these difficult tours.
"That's why I'm here on this tough series. I'll be looking forward to that (Australia tour), but let's see how it goes after this series, and how I plan my future.
"That could be really hard for someone young - even as a batsman to replace me in Australian conditions - and obviously it would be a challenge for a young captain."
He is the leading run-getter for the team in this series, and added: "I will keep trying throughout this Test and if Pakistan needs me afterwards, that's another point.
"I will think about that after the series but for the moment this is important for me and the Pakistan team. I will just go about this Test match."
It's unlikely that Misbah would ever be sacked as skipper, no matter the result in England, and he says he's not worried about the selectors any more.
He added: "I don't have that sort of fear otherwise I would have retired long ago. I am always up for challenges and never thought of the results.
"I believe in just looking at the challenges and trying hard."
Misbah has been 'on the brink of retirement' for years, but has always delayed it as he is the anchor of the side's line up, and he says a young captain would find skippering in Australia a daunting prospect.
Misbah, who is 42, said ahead of the fourth Test against England: "It's really difficult for me to leave the team on these difficult tours.
"That's why I'm here on this tough series. I'll be looking forward to that (Australia tour), but let's see how it goes after this series, and how I plan my future.
"That could be really hard for someone young - even as a batsman to replace me in Australian conditions - and obviously it would be a challenge for a young captain."
He is the leading run-getter for the team in this series, and added: "I will keep trying throughout this Test and if Pakistan needs me afterwards, that's another point.
"I will think about that after the series but for the moment this is important for me and the Pakistan team. I will just go about this Test match."
It's unlikely that Misbah would ever be sacked as skipper, no matter the result in England, and he says he's not worried about the selectors any more.
He added: "I don't have that sort of fear otherwise I would have retired long ago. I am always up for challenges and never thought of the results.
"I believe in just looking at the challenges and trying hard."
