Pakistan contract dispute not affecting Cup preparations:Sethi

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) today said the dispute between the board and players over central contracts is not affecting the team's performance in the lead up to the cricket World Cup.
PCB's former Chairman and member of the Board of Governors, Najam Sethi said there was no dispute between the board or players over the central contracts.
"It is wrong to assume that this issue has affected the players performances in New Zealand and Australia and it could have a bearing on their World Cup as well," Sethi said today.
"The issue is nothing serious and has been sorted out and the players told that new 12-month central contracts will be given to them after the World Cup," he added.

Sethi, who relinquished his position as Chairman of the board last year under the new constitution, said last year also players were given their new contracts after a five-month delay due to unavoidable reasons.
"But they won four or five series last year so when it didn't affect their performances than. So why should it affect their performances now."

The PCB had extended the existing central contracts by three months after they expired on December 31st, 2014. But all the 33 contracted players, including the 15 in the World Cup squad, have refused to sign the extended contracts and are demanding a pay hike, 12-month contracts and removal of some clauses in the new contracts.

Sethi said he had spoken to the players and the board was in touch with them.
"Like always we take the viewpoint of the players into consideration while finalizing central contracts. The three month extension is a stopgap arrangement because of the World Cup. The players have been told they will get long term contracts after the World Cup and the matter is resolved," Sethi added.
He said the players remained focused on the World Cup and the contracts had nothing to do with their performances.
"It is not a big issue as it is being made out to be," he added.

Pakistan lost two practice games and the two ODIs in New Zealand after the central contracts dispute erupted soon after the squad landed in New Zealand last month.