South Africa [Images] 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 [Images].

The Pakistan board had approached Cricket South Africa to host a tri-series also involving Sri Lanka [Images] after the postponement of the Champions Trophy [Images] 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.