Guwahati, May 8: The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) has invited applications from former state first class players for a pension scheme introduced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

Although only few of the state players fulfil the criteria fixed by the BCCI for the pension, the ACA has sought applications from over 30 former first class cricketers from across the state. The last date for submitting applications is May 15.

The BCCI criteria stipulate that a player who has played in Ranji, Duleep and Irani Trophy will be eligible for pension. Besides, a player should have played at least 10 matches upto the 1957-58 season or at least 50 to 75 matches upto 2003-04 or more than 76 matches upto 2003-04.

Meeting the requisite criteria from the state are Abani Hazarika and Rajesh Bora. Hazarika, who also represented the state in football, had played 10 matches till 1957-58 and Bora played 66 matches between 1983-84 and 2004-05.

Though the late Amalendu Guha Roy too, met the criterion having played 11 matches till 1957-58, he will not be entitled for pension because the BCCI does not have any provision for posthumous payment or family pension.

Syed Zakaria Zuffri and Gautam Dutta too, satisfy the norms. But they are yet to retire from first class cricket.

Zuffri has so far played 76 first class matches, the highest ever by any Assam player and Dutta, who is now registered with the Cricket Association of Bengal, has played 53 matches from Assam between 1989-90 and 2004-05 seasons.

Successful candidates will be entitled to Rs 10,000 per month as pension effective from the date on which he retires from first class cricket.