Pakistan batsman Yousuf opts out of Champions Trophy to fulfil Ramadan

Month off: Yousuf

The 33-year-old has strictly followed the Muslim faith ever since he converted from Christianity in 2005 and has often stated that he would avoid playing during Ramadan, which this year runs from September 1 to September 30.

The tournament is scheduled to be held in Pakistan between September 11 to 28.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which had delayed the announcement of the 30-man preliminary squad for the International Cricket Council tournament, has accepted Yousuf's request.

'We have received a request from Yousuf that he wants a Ramadan break,' said Shafqat Naghmi, PCB chief operating officer .

'The board respects his feelings and has decided to accept his request.'

Yousuf is Pakistan's most experienced batsman with 9,242 runs, including 15 centuries, from 269 one-day internationals.

Meanwhile, the PCB have dropped Mohammad Asif from the list of probables for the Champions Trophy after it was announced the bowler had failed a drugs test during the Indian Premier League.

'Asif has failed a dope test so he cannot play for Pakistan till that matter is resolved,' Naghmi said.

Asif, along with fellow paceman Shoaib Akhtar, were included in a provisional list of players picked by selectors.

The squad was to be named last week, but the PCB postponed the announcement due to a row with Shoaib over the payment of a fine imposed by an appellate tribunal.

Shoaib, however, is likely to be included in the team after he tendered a written reply to the PCB on Monday.