KARACHI (Reuters)
Pakistan's veteran opening batsman Saeed Anwar has pledged to continue his career following speculation he could quit cricket to concentrate on his faith.

Anwar, sporting a bushy beard and dressed as an orthodox Muslim, told Reuters: "I will only quit all cricket the day my reflexes slow down and bowlers can bully me.

"I will continue playing cricket while I can do it with dignity, and I want to play in the next World Cup in South Africa."

Speculation has been rife in Pakistan that Anwar could retire following the recent death of his baby daughter. He has immersed himself in his faith and done some preaching of the Koran.

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) expressed concern that Anwar might be lost to the sport.

Anwar, who missed Pakistan's current tour of Bangladesh with a wrist injury and will also be sidelined against the West Indies later this month, added: "Let us be clear – being a practising Muslim does not mean you can't pursue your livelihood, which is cricket for me.

"This is a misconception that one can't play cricket professionally and pursue religion at the same time. I am reading the Koran and preaching it in my spare time. But as a Pakistan cricketer, my commitment remains unstinted.

"I have found solace in religion after the tragic death of my infant daughter a few months back. It was a shattering experience for me."

Anwar has played 55 Tests and 230 one-day internationals, but has suffered from injuries in recent seasons. He missed last year's tour of New Zealand and he only averaged 15.25 in two Tests in England.

But he bounced back with a century in his last appearance against Bangladesh in August.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd