Mumbai, Sep 23 (IANS): The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Tuesday paid rich tribute to veteran cricket statistician Anandji Dossa, who passed away in New York, Monday. Dossa was 98.

"An era has ended with the demise of Anandji Dossa. He was one of the game's unsung heroes. His contribution to the sport was extraordinary. He was among those who made cricket and cricketers immortal, by collating and preserving the accounts of their achievements for posterity," said BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel.

"He was chairman of the statistical committee of the BCCI in the 1970s. Anandjibhai played a critical role in guiding many individuals, who followed in his footsteps. On behalf of the BCCI, I would like to condole his death, and pray that his soul rests in peace," he said.

Dossa, who last year with his wife moved to the US to be with their daughters, was a also former cricketer. He was a reserve in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy squad but failed to make his place in ths side.

He, however, made his presence felt as a cricket statistician and did live scoring for all major cricket in India for the All India Radio. He also authored many cricket books.