Cricket: Misbah-ul-Haq: New year and a new resolve to keep playing

Pakistan's Misbah Ul Haq takes a catch. Photo / AP

Pakistan veteran Misbah-ul-Haq has dismissed suggestions he is ready to retire, with the 42-year-old confirming he will captain the tourists in the third test against Australia.

Misbah, who has managed a total of 20 runs in the ongoing series, admitted after losing the Boxing Day test he needed "to think about" his future and was no SCG certainty.

But the veteran, who has scored almost 5000 test runs, struck a far more resolute note in yesterday's pre-match media conference at the SCG.

"That was 2016 - now it's 2017," Misbah quipped, saying his comments in Melbourne were triggered by frustration.

"That is gone, that is gone.

"You have to fight as a sportsman and that's important for me also. I'm happy that I've got a very good family, all the team. The way they supported me [was appreciated].

"Everyone, from the support staff to the players - and they're up for that [fight], so I'm also up. I need to play at my best."

Misbah was non-committal about his future beyond this week, saying he wasn't thinking about the end of an international career that started in 2001.

He opted against naming an XI at the media conference yesterday, admitting there could be changes after his side lost the Melbourne test by an innings and 18 runs.

"It all depends on the final look of the pitch."

- AAP