Mohammad Yousuf pulls out of Champions Trophy

Former Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf has withdrawn from September's ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan because the dates clash with the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"He has requested the Pakistan Cricket Board not to consider him for selection as the dates (of the tournament) clashed with fasting month of Ramadan," chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

Last year during the month of Ramadan, Yousuf scored 25 and an unbeaten 63 in the drawn second test against South Africa at Lahore.

Pakistan is scheduled to play at least three limited-overs internationals during the tournament and possibly five if it makes the final – something Yousuf decided he could not mix with his religious life.

"We have accepted his request and excluded his name from the list of 30 probables," Ahmed said. "He doesn't want to play cricket (in Ramadan) as he wanted to focus on his prayers and fast."

Ahmed said that it will be a setback to miss the experienced Yousuf, who has scored 9,242 runs in 269 limited-overs internationals.

"But it will give opportunity to new players to show their skills against the world's top teams," Ahmed said.