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KARACHI, Sunday (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.

"I want to play in the next World Cup in South Africa."

Speculation has been rife in Pakistan that the 33-year-old world-class batsman, who has immersed himself in his faith and done some preaching of the Koran following the recent death of his baby daughter, could retire.

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 that will also sideline him from a series against West Indies starting 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."

He said: "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."

The left-handed Anwar has played 55 tests and 230 one-day internationals, averaging more than 45 in the former and almost 40 in the later.

However, the Karachi player has suffered from injuries in recent seasons, missing last year's tour of New Zealand and only averaging 15.25 in two tests in England.

He bounced back with a century, though, in his last appearance against Bangladesh in August. 

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