KARACHI: Former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Najam Sethi categorically denied rumours of any rift among players and the board in relation to central contracts.

“There is no rift among the players and the PCB on central contracts. The issue is being blown out of proportions in the media,” he said during his interaction with reporters at the National Stadium on Friday.

He negated the impressions that the poor show by the Pakistan team in New Zeland was related to the issuance of the central contracts.

“It’s not a big issue and will be settled soon. It was delayed due to the World Cup,” Sethi said. “Criticism raised on central contract issue is unjust and not related to the players’ performance on the field,” he maintained.

He added that issuance of central contracts had been delayed on many occasions in the past as well.

Sethi, who may takeover as the president of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in June this year, said that his position in the governing body would be ceremonious, but he “will try to work in the interest of Pakistan cricket”.

Commenting on the selection process and choosing players from outside the preliminary 30-man World Cup squad, he said the selectors made an independent decision which had no interference from the board.

Sethi deflected questions about the surprise selection of Sohail Khan and Rahat Ali in the Pakistan’s World Cup squad which created a stir in the media.