He has to show more responsible behaviour Tauqir Zia on Rashid Latif Five-game ban for Latif

Rashid Latif has resigned as captain of Pakistan ahead of the rescheduled series against South Africa.

The 34-year-old had only just finished a five-game ban imposed by International Cricket Council match referee Mike Procter for 'unfair play'.

It followed an incident during the recent third Test against Bangladesh when Latif, who was appointed earlier this year, claimed a disputed catch.

He said: "Yes, I have resigned. But I cannot say anything more."

Latif decided to step down a day after being warned by the Pakistan Cricket Board to act more responsibly if he wanted retain the position.

"The PCB can only confirm that Rashid has resigned. He has given no reason to us for his decision," said PCB spokesman Samiul Hasan.

Latif has made it known he would like to continue playing for Pakistan.

Leadership of the team was handed to Inzamam-ul-Haq for the one-day series against Bangladesh while Latif served the suspension.

But he had been at odds with the PCB since August.

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The board let him off with a reprimand after he wrote a letter to the ICC, which he later released to the public, warning of the menaces of match-fixing.

And it was reported in local media that Latif and chief selector Aamir Sohail had disagreements during the Test series against Bangladesh.

He captained Pakistan for the 1997-98 tours to South Africa and Zimbabwe before retiring, saying he was suffering from burn-out amid reports he had made match-fixing allegations against team-mates.

He was recalled after a three-year exile in 2001 and was reappointed captain in place of Waqar Younis after Pakistan failed to qualify for the super six stage of this year's World Cup.