South Africa turn down Pakistan plea for one-day series

KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - South Africa have turned down a request from the Pakistan cricket Board to organise a one-day series this month, saying their players needed a rest after a hectic tour of England.

The Pakistan board had approached Cricket South Africa to host a tri-series also involving Sri Lanka after the postponement of the Champions Trophy which was to have been held in Pakistan this month.

"Cricket South Africa have today informed us that they can't arrange the series as their players have had a long and hectic tour of England which ended on a disappointing note for them," Shafqat Naghmi, the chief operating officer of the board told Reuters.

Naghmi said the Pakistan board was now negotiating with the Sri Lankans to arrange a one-day series.