Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf will miss this Septembers ICC Champions Trophy, as the PCB has acceded to his request of granting a break as the tournament coincides with the holy month of Ramzan.
Lahore, July 15 : Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf will miss this September's ICC Champions Trophy, as the PCB has acceded to his request of granting a break as the tournament coincides with the holy month of Ramzan.
Mohammad Yousuf, a Christian by birth and who converted to Islam a few years ago, had requested a break for rest during the tournament as he want to concentrate on fasting during Ramzan, reported the Daily Times.
A senior PCB official said that the Board had accepted a request from Yousuf, who said he doesn't want to play cricket during the fasting month to focus on his prayers.
The Champions Trophy, to be held in Pakistan, will clash with Ramzan. "We received a request from Yousuf that he wants a Ramzan break. The board has decided to accept his request," said the PCB official.
After converting to Islam, Yousuf (33) has become a staunch Muslim and offers namaz five times a day and observes Ramzan with religious zeal.
He is Pakistan's most experienced batsman with 9242 runs from 269 one-day internationals. He also has 15 ODI centuries.
ANI