By Shahid Hashmi BBC Sport Online

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is set to play for famous English pub side Lashings, despite pulling out of next month's triangular one-day series in Morocco through fatigue.

The 26-year-old told team officials he was not fit enough to face South Africa and Sri Lanka.

"Akhtar told us he is feeling weakness in his legs and fatigue. He needs rest and will not be joining the camp," said manager Yawar Saeed.

However, Akhtar's elder brother, Shahid, told BBC Sport Online that Shoaib has been granted permission to play for Lashings, possibly on a lucrative contract.

Shoaib starred in Super Challenge, taking 5-25 in Brisbane

"Shoaib's top priority is to play for Pakistan but like other players if he gets an opportunity to play and earn money then he deserves that," Shahid said.

Shoaib aired his dissatisfaction in the Pakistani media over Saqlain Mushtaq and Abdul Razzaq being allowed to skip aone-day series in Australia in June to play County cricket in England.

Shoaib was in electrifying form in the Super Challenge, taking seven wickets, including figures of five for 25 in Brisbane, as Pakistan beat Australia 2-1.

A source close to the Pakistan team told BBC Sport Online: "Shoaib's insistence was that since the Pakistan management permitted Razzaq and Saqlain to skip the series in Australia, he could also be given a few days off.

"But the manager was not willing to grant that permission so he left saying he is unfit."

Pakistan coach Mudassar Nazar was taken aback by Shoaib's unavailability.

"It is surprising for us but he told us after reaching Pakistan that he wanted to rest his legs and skip the camp and the tournament," Nazar said.

Nazar had expected Shoaib to play in Morocco

"We had no plans to rest him for Morocco but this unexpected development now gives us a chance to work on our rotation policy before the World Cup."

Either of the fast bowlers Mohammad Sami or Mohammad Zahid will step in for Shoaib in the tri-series, taking place in Tangiers from August 12-21.

It is the first time international cricket will be played in north Africa.

It is not the first time Shoaib has deserted the national side to play for Lashings.

Complaining of a stomach problems, he left the team during the NatWest Series in 2001 to play for the village team, which has given caps to players such as Allan Donald and Viv Richards in the past.

Pakistan will cut their initial squad of 19 players to 15 next week, with Razzaq and Saqlain linking up with the rest of the party in Morocco.

Pakistan squad for Morocco tri-series: Waqar Younis (capt), Saeed Anwar, Imran Nazir, Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Rashid Latif, Wasim Akram, Azhar Mahmood, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shoaib Akhtar, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Sami, Misbah-ul-Haq, Danish Kaneria, Shahid Afridi, Faisal Iqbal, Abdul Razzaq, Taufiq Umer.