Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq has revealed he will hang up his boots after taking on traditional rivals India for one last time.
The 41-year-old Misbah, who retired from ODIs after the 2015 World Cup, remained optimistic about a possible showdown against India after officials from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held talks for a potential series later this year.
While there has been no formal agreement between the two boards, Misbah remains optimistic that the matchup will take place.
“I know very well that there is not much cricket left in me. Yes, I want to play a few more Test matches as I look forward to life beyond cricket,” Misbah told PTI in an interview.
“If the series against India happens, I want to play that series and probably retire from international cricket. So the India series can be my last one,” he added.
Misbah's comments come just days after he expressed the desire to play a Test in Pakistan before bringing down the curtains on his career.
The 41-year-old Misbah, who has only played five of his 58 Tests for Pakistan at home, was overrun with emotion when Zimbabwe became the first full member nation to visit the country after the deadly attack on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in 2009. But he could only see the action from the sidelines, having retired from ODIs earlier.
“I am really anxiously waiting for Test cricket in Pakistan. Nothing better than that, if you play in front of your home crowd and at your home ground. So I'm really hoping that before I’ve got to retire ... really wish to play in Pakistan.”
Pakistan have climbed to number three in Test rankings under Misbah's captaincy but his recent comments suggest he has made up his mind about his exit from the game.
Another Pakistan veteran Younis Khan gave similar statements in the media upon his return from Sri Lanka where he played a pivotal role in the team's 2-1 Test series win.
“I will go on my own terms and want to see and contribute to Pakistan wins in Australia and England,” Younis said in a ceremony to mark his century of Test matches.
“Pakistan will become a great team if we win in England and Australia, and since I have not scored a hundred in Australia I want to achieve that too before retiring.”