Sri Lankan team knocks out Bollywood stars in charity matches

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COLOMBO - Sangakara XI, boasting of some Sri Lankan greats, knocked off two teams consisting of Bollywood stars to emerge the winner of a charity cricket match “series” played here Friday as part of the ongoing International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) weekend.

Sangakara XI, consisting of the Sri Lankan captian-wicketkeeper himself, along with Muthiah Murlidharan, Upul Chandana and Aravinda de Silva, among others, first emerged victorious in a 10 over match against Suniel Shetty’s team.

The Suniel XI included Sonu Sood, Mahesh Manjrekar, Apoorva Lakhia, Sharman Joshi and Harman Baweja, among others. The team also had cricketers like Vinod Kambli and Mahela Jayawardena in its ranks but still could not win.

“We didn’t play well, but the cause connected with it was much more important so I’m glad that I could contribute to this charity in some way. It was nice playing with Sri Lankan professionals,” Sharman Joshi told IANS after the match.

The next match was between the Sangakara XI and the Hrithik XI, captained by the actor but who did not take to the field.

“I am here but I won’t be playing because I have an injury and my joints will hurt. The doctor has advised me not to play,” Hrithik told reporters at the Sinhalese Sports Club, the headquarters of the game’s governing body, where the match was played.

Hrithik’s team, which included actors Jackie Bhagnani, Arjan Bajwa, Dino Morea and Vatsal Seth, among others, also lost, handing the “series” and the Oscar-IIFA Challenge Foundation Cup winner’s trophy to the Sangakara XI.

The Hrithik XI claimed the Oscar-IIFA challenge Foundation Cup runner’s up trophy.

Sangakara was named the Micromax Cricketer of the Match, Suniel Shetty the Videocon Celebrity Man of the Match and Sonu Sood the Western Union Most Reliable Player.

The Panasonic Best Catch award went to Chandana.

Reebox contributed Rs.500,000 and Coca Cola Rs.250,000 to IIFA’s Hands for Humanity Charity that is meant for rehabilitating former Tamil Tiger child soldiers.

The event also saw a surprise in the form of actor Salman Khan, who came into the stadium just before the end of the match and did a victory lap of sorts, much to the delight of his fans.

Apart from Salman, B-town celebrities like Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Bipasha Basu, Dia Mirza, Anil Kapoor and Chunky Pandey, among others, were also present at the event.