Punjab board introduces pensions

Punjab's lesser-known first-class cricketers have reason to cheer, with the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) announcing a 'Monthly Gratis Scheme' for some of the players not covered by a similar BCCI scheme implemented in 2006.

"The PCA scheme would cover those cricketers who had played between 10 and 24 first-class cricket matches because those who had played 25 or more matches were covered under the BCCI scheme which provided monthly gratis between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000," MP Pandove, the PCA secretary, told PTI.

Under the scheme, players would get a minimum of Rs 5000 per month, with additional sums depending on the player's first-class experience. "For each additional match the player would get a monthly hike of Rs 300," Pandove said.

The scheme is to benefit 24 former Punjab players. "PCA was the first state cricket association to moot such a welfare scheme for retired first class cricketers," said Pandove. Earlier, the PCA had a monthly honorarium of Rs 5000 for current first-class players who are unemployed.