Pakistan's wicketkeeper and former captain Rashid Latif pulled out of the two-match Test series against South Africa Thursday, citing family commitments.

"I have decided not to play the Tests as I have family commitments and I have informed the Pakistan Cricket Board about my decision," Latif, 34, told reporters.

Latif, who resigned the captaincy last month shortly after being suspended for claiming an unfair catch in the Multan Test against Bangladesh, said he would be available for Pakistan's tour of New Zealand in December.

"I assure you there is no controversy behind my decision," he said.

Latif's decision may mean an end to his controversial career, in which he earned huge attention for blowing the whistle on a match-fixing controversy in 1995.

He has played 37 Tests and 164 one-day internationals, taking 130 dismissals in Tests and 218 in one-dayers.

Latif also wrote a letter to the International Cricket Council (ICC) in June stating that match-fixing was still practised in international cricket, incurring the disdain of Pakistani cricket officials.

PCB chief executive Rameez Raja said he was unaware of Latif's pull-out from the Tests and refused to comment.

Latif's place is likely to go to Kamran Akmal, who made his Test debut in Zimbabwe last year and played all five one-day internationals against Bangladesh last month when Latif was suspended.