MUMBAI: Preity Zinta is right now in New Zealand to watch the one-day series between India and New Zealand. But in the meanwhile, she was invited by their Prime Minister John Key for an evening reception.

“I have just come out of the reception. It was really a pleasure meeting the man, who is so down to earth and I hear extremely popular,” says Preity. “He is young and extremely charming. We discussed mostly cricket. He told me he was an investment banker before he became the PM.”

However, there is something else that Preity is more excited about. She met her cricketing idol finally. “I actually sat next to Sachin Tendulkar for a five full minutes! He is the greatest player and I was so happy to meet him,” she says with a chuckle.

Preity adds that she as extremely concerned for the Sri Lankan team when they were attacked in Pakistan.

“I have been in touch with the boys from my team, Kumar Sangakara and Jayawardene, and they are fine. My prayers are with those boys...”

she ends.