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If you thought the spice was limited to the cricket field, think again. Peshawar Zalmi has stirred up a different kind of heat during PSL 10 — and it’s not from a blistering yorker or a sizzling six. This time, it’s the team’s dinner menu that’s caught everyone’s attention.
On what was supposed to be a chill evening off the pitch, Peshawar Zalmi’s players were treated to a dinner spread featuring Dum Pukht, ice cream, and soft drinks. While the players may have left the dinner table full and satisfied, social media left the metaphorical group chat — but not before dropping some spicy hot takes.
“Is this a T20 league or a wedding buffet?” tweeted one user.
“No wonder some bowlers look tired — they’re running on biryani fumes and vanilla swirl,” another joked.
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Dum Pukht or Done Pukht?
For the uninitiated, Dum Pukht is a traditional slow-cooked dish, usually made with mutton, rice, aromatic spices, and generous dollops of ghee — basically the culinary opposite of what you’d expect from a professional athlete’s diet.
Nutritionists and fitness fans had their whistles blown by the calorie count. “You can’t sprint between the wickets with Dum Pukht in your belly,” one fitness influencer commented, “unless the motivation is to find the nearest couch.”
To add to the gourmet drama, dessert was served in the form of ice cream and fizzy soft drinks — two items universally recognized for their ability to spike sugar levels and energy… right before a crash that hits harder than a bouncer from Shaheen Afridi.
Cheat Day or Just Cheating?
Some fans were quick to defend the squad’s indulgent moment, calling it a well-deserved “cheat day.”
“Even gym bros eat burgers on Sundays. Let the Zalmis live a little,” one supporter wrote on Facebook, probably while sipping a soda themselves.
Meanwhile, conspiracy theories have emerged from the shadows of cricket forums:
- “Maybe they’re trying to lull the opposition into thinking they’ll be sluggish.”
- “Reverse psychology? Give them heavy food, then surprise them with a 200+ score next game.”
Silence from the Zalmi Camp
While the dinner menu has now become meme-fodder, the Zalmi management and players have remained tight-lipped. No official statement has been released — perhaps they’re still digesting.
That said, a few players were reportedly seen doing some extra laps during the next practice session. Coincidence? Or an attempt to burn off the effects of a particularly buttery bite of Dum Pukht?
PSL: Pakistan’s Spiciest League
With the tournament heating up and every match becoming a must-win, it’s safe to say Peshawar Zalmi will want their focus — and nutrition — back on track. But whether they stick to chicken salads or sneak in another bite of kulfi remains to be seen.
One thing’s certain: PSL 10 has proven that even dinner menus can be more controversial than an umpire’s DRS decision.
