It was on skipper Inzamam-ul Haq's insistence that the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to opt out of a proposed tri-series, also involving India, in Abu Dhabi in September this year.
The tri-series is not included in the Future Tours Programme of the International Cricket Council.
Inzamam told top officials of the Pakistan Cricket Board that players should be given proper breaks to save them from fitness problems ahead of the World Cup.
"The PCB Chairman had asked Inzamam whether the players would be happy playing in the unscheduled tri-series in September this year before the ICC Champions Trophy in India," a PCB official said.
"Inzamam told the Chairman that it would be better if Pakistan didn't take part in the tri-series as they were already playing a lot of cricket before the World Cup."
The Pakistan team will tour England from June 28 before returning home on September 12 while the Champions Trophy begins on October 6 in India.
"Inzamam's contention was that the players needed to be given a rest between the England tour and the Champions Trophy so that they could recharge themselves as immediately after the Champions Trophy, they also play the West Indies at home and then go on a full tour of South Africa," the official said.
{{/usCountry}}"Inzamam's contention was that the players needed to be given a rest between the England tour and the Champions Trophy so that they could recharge themselves as immediately after the Champions Trophy, they also play the West Indies at home and then go on a full tour of South Africa," the official said.
{{/usCountry}}The official said Inzamam had pointed out that the South Africa tour and the World Cup were two very important events for Pakistan and players would need to be 100 percent fit for these two events.
"Basically, on Inzamam's suggestion the PCB dropped the idea of playing in the tri-series anywhere, even at off-shore venues," the official said.