New York: Sachin Tendulkar might have won many an individual battle against Shane Warne, but the tables turned when the duo locked horns in All-Stars opener.
The Cricket All-Stars Twenty20 series started with a bang as Warne’s Warriors claimed a six-wicket win over Sachin’s Blasters to lead the three-match series 1-0 in New York.
With an aim to globalize the sport, cricketing greats Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar led two teams of some of the greatest players of recent decades amidst cheers from the frenetic crowd mostly expatriate community at the New York Mets’ Citi Field Stadium.
Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag got off to a flying start as the duo struck a solid 85-run stand for the opening partnership after being put into bat first.
However, the dismissal of batting maestro Tendulkar (26) triggered a meltdown with the team posting a target of 141-run target in their stipulated 20 overs.
Sehwag (55) scored the series’ first half-century off just 22 deliveries as spin legend Warne claimed three wickets in quick succession.
In reply, Warriors recovered from a shaky start as Kumar Sangakkara (41) of Sri Lanka and Australia’s Ricky Ponting (48 not out) smacked an 80-run stand for the third wicket.
For Blasters, former Pakistan pace spearhead Shoaib Akhtar grabbed two wickets for 26 runs.
South Africa’s Jonty Rhodes (20 not out) then steered his side home in a flamboyant style with 16 balls remaining.
The next match will be played on November 11 in Houston before the third and final T20 in Los Angeles three days later.
(with inputs from ANI)