Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi Thursday pulled out of the Test series against South Africa, saying he did not want to play while fasting in the holy month of Ramadan.

"I asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to allow me to skip the two Tests against South Africa because it would be difficult to fast and play in Ramadan," Afridi told AFP.

The PCB said it had accepted Afridi's request and released him from the series which starts with the first Test here from Monday. The second Test will be played in Lahore from October 8.

Afridi said his decision had nothing to do with the team losing last week's final of the Twenty20 World Cup to arch-rivals India in South Africa.

"We lost the final due to poor batting and I apologised to the fans for not doing my part in the final but that did not influence my decision of not playing Tests," said Afridi.

Afridi was declared player of the Twenty20 World Cup for his 12 wickets in the tournament.

But Afridi, known for his big hitting, failed to take a single wicket in the final and was dismissed for a first-ball duck.

Pakistan are due to announce their squad for the first Test on Friday.

The home team were Thursday boosted by the news that prolific batsman Mohammad Yousuf had shunned a contract with the breakaway Indian league and declared himself available for the Tests against South Africa.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)