Mumbai, Feb 25 Cricket Board President Sharad Pawar said today the Indian players needed a break of at least 10 days between their current engagement in Australia and the next home series against South Africa to explain the reasons for the BCCI's inability to visit Pakistan next month.

Saying that the Indian Board would, in normal circumstances, have readily agreed to play three ODIs in March as per the request of its Pakistan counterpart PCB, Pawar said in a media statement that the BCCI had to turn down the latter's request because of the Indians' tight schedule.

"The BCCI, in normal circumstances, would have readily agreed to play these matches and help the cause of Pakistan Cricket Board.

"However, our players currently in Australia would be tired and exhausted after a long tour lasting almost three months and would need a break of at least ten days before they prepare for the three-Test series against South Africa at home," Pawar said.

"The BCCI, therefore, has conveyed its inability to undertake the short tour of Pakistan in March 2008." PCB wanted India to take up the short visit to make up for the international matches it has lost because of the decision of Cricket Australia to shorten its scheduled tour of Pakistan citing security concerns. (Agencies)