In a bid to generate funds for the underprivileged across more than 30 nations, retired cricketers from various countries collaborated for a challenging competition, forming teams named ‘One Family’ and ‘One World.’ Leading the One World team, Tendulkar won the toss and chose to field at the Sai Krishnan Cricket Stadium in Muddenahalli, Karnataka.
Former English cricketer Darren Maddy and Sri Lankan legend Romesh Kaluwitharana opened the batting for One Family, providing a brisk start until Monty Panesar dismissed Kaluwitharana for 22 runs off 15 balls. Maddy (51 runs off 41 balls) tried to stabilize the innings with Mohammed Kaif and Parthiv Patel, but Tendulkar eventually outsmarted him, resulting in a score of 120/4 after the 14th over.
One Family needed someone to accelerate the innings, and Yuvraj Singh (23* off 10 balls) and Yusuf Pathan (38* off 24 balls) stepped in, quickly amassing runs to finish at 180/6. In response, Naman Ojha and Tendulkar provided a rapid start, putting together 31 runs for the opening partnership.
Despite Chaminda Vaas dismissing Ojha, Tendulkar scored a quick 27 off 16 balls, including three fours and a six, before being caught in the deep off Muttiah Muralitharan’s bowling. Alviro Petersen, coming in at number 3, played a pivotal innings, scoring 74 off 50 deliveries.
Starting cautiously, Petersen gradually found the gaps, maintaining the scoreboard with Upul Tharanga. Although Tharanga was dismissed in the 15th over, Petersen ensured that One World remained close to the finishing line.
— Aryan Kabad (@aryan11307) January 18, 2024
With seven runs needed from the final over, Ajantha Mendis and Irfan Pathan managed to secure four runs from as many deliveries. In a dramatic turn, the younger Pathan hit a six against his brother on the penultimate delivery, leading One World to victory in this charitable contest.