Babar Azam's Peshawar Zalmi Players Criticised For Feasting On Biryani Ahead Of PSL 2025
The players, including captain Babar Azam, were pictured feasting on a high-carb meal, leaving many fans users furious.
Pakistan’s premier cricket tournament, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), officially kicked off with a dazzling opening ceremony on Thursday, April 10, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Amid a period of decline for the national team, the tournament has become a major topic of discussion following a video shared by Peshawar Zalmi’s official social media accounts. The video features several team players, including Babar Azam, at a pre-tournament event, with many of them enjoying a festive feast.
Celebrating the bonds that make us more than a team Despite the team “celebrating their bond," not everyone was impressed by the gathering or their meal choices. The video in question shows Peshawar Zalmi players enjoying a grand biryani feast alongside a range of other food items and soft drinks. The players, including captain Babar Azam, were pictured feasting on a high-carb meal, leaving many internet users furious. It is worth mentioning that fitness and a nutritional diet are always prioritised among cricket players to maintain their form, especially ahead of crucial tournaments and matches.
The video has been reshared widely on the Internet, with many sharing their views in the comments. While many PSL fans voiced their criticism towards the board members as well as the Peshawar Zalmi players, others simply joked about the situation. One wrote, “Look at the state of these premium players. Tomorrow, Pakistan’s premier tournament begins, and their plates are loaded with carbohydrates. There’s no seriousness from the PCB, the franchises, or the players. No wonder they’re so unfit. Unreal."
Another quipped, “So much food before PSL? The king will be seen sleeping on the pitch. Foreign players, welcome to the ultimate carb challenge."
A user mentioned, “In which part of the world do professional athletes consume such food, especially right before a major national tournament? This reflects poorly on both the players and Peshawar Zalmi’s media team. Highly unprofessional."
One of the comments highlighted how the diet was not suitable for the tournament: “Don’t want to be a critic, but ice cream, biryani… not an ideal diet before the tournament."
The people talking about diet, that’s up to the players, firstly they are fine to eat this food in moderation and it’s up to them and their nutritionist no one else.
— Muzz (@MuzzImran) April 11, 2025
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On the other hand, some users defended the video, highlighting that it showcases the team’s camaraderie. They also pointed out that the players’ dietary choices wouldn’t be negatively impacted as long as they consume the food in moderation. “The people talking about diet, that’s up to the players; firstly, they are fine to eat this food in moderation, and it’s up to them and their nutritionist, no one else."
Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi is set to play their first match of the tournament against Quetta Gladiators on Saturday, April 12. However, ahead of the match, Azam has reportedly sustained an injury during a practice session. A video circulating on the Internet shows the star batter limping off the pitch. The team is yet to issue an official statement regarding the nature of Azam’s injury.
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