Resumption of cricket ties will take time: Ashraf

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Zaka Ashraf, on Sunday, said that resumption of bilateral ties with neighbours India will take some time.

Speaking on bilateral relations with India, Ashraf admitted it will take time to revive cricketing ties between the two countries.

"I was not able to meet my Indian counterpart (N Srinivasan) at the ACC meeting in Singapore. But I am looking forward to meet him at the next ICC meeting to have a positive dialogue," Ashraf stated.

The PCB chief has also said that the board didn't favor appointing a vice-captain with the national team as this could lead to "divisions" within the side.

"The naming of the vice-captain could lead to divisions in the team and it would not be good. The team is doing well under Misbah-ul-Haq's captaincy so let him continue for as long as he can," Ashraf was quoted as saying by The News.

His comments came after being asked why the board was not grooming someone as future vice-captain as Misbah was not getting any younger.

Ashraf credited Misbah for leading the team well and inspiring them to perform well in recent series.

The PCB has not appointed a vice-captain for the last three series against Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Ashraf also made it clear that he would review the financial benefits given to the players when their central contracts end this year.

"I will look into the central contract issue and deliberate upon it with my staff to see what we can do for the betterment of the players," he added.

Pakistani players are presently given central contracts in three different categories.

Those in category A are paid a monthly salary of 250,000 Pakistani rupees, the ones in the second division get 175,000 while the players in C category are paid 100,000 per month.

The monthly salaries are not part of the match fees, allowances and bonuses earned by the players.