Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf will not be attending the International Cricket Council's annual awards function in Dubai on Wednesday as it would affect his prayer routine.

Yousuf is a devout Muslim and asked to be excused from international duty during the month of Ramadan, which began last week.

Yousuf was nominated for the One-day International Player of the Year award by the ICC and is the only Pakistani in the reckoning for an award.

"I cannot go for the awards because it would come in the way of my evening prayers," he said.

"For me, Ramadan is a month of fasting and being totally involved in religious activities.

"It means being detached from worldly pursuits."