NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has put an end to the debate between Karachi and Hyderabad biryani. Akram, who is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of cricket, took to the microblogging site X on Friday and posted a brief video in which he addressed the highly debated topic of whether Hyderabadi or Karachi biryani is better.
The video seems to be a segment from a panel discussion on ‘A Sports,’ a Pakistani sports channel, where former cricketer Shoaib Malik is also a participant. In the discussion, the 57-year-old Akram mentions that he has tasted Hyderabadi biryani but acknowledges that Malik may have more experience with it. Akram then kindly asks his Indian friends not to take offense, as he firmly asserts that Karachi biryani is unparalleled anywhere in the world.
“I have tried Hyderabadi biryani and he (Shoaib Malik) must have more experience. First of all, Indian friends please don’t be angry but I think there is no competition for Karachi biryani. I have tried the famous biryani from Hyderabad. It is dry and it is like pulao,” he said.
Responding to him, Malik, who is married to Indian tennis sensation Sania Mirza, playfully quips that the spices in Hyderabadi biryani are located beneath the rice, suggesting humorously that Akram might have scooped the rice from the top of the bowl.
Watch the video here:
Karachi or Hyderabadi biryani ? @asportstvpk #briyani #justforfun #WorldCup2023 #ThePavilion pic.twitter.com/BL5r4t2zYs
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) October 6, 2023
Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket squad, which landed in the city of Nizams for the 2023 World Cup, appeared to have a strong affinity for Hyderabadi Biryani. They were asked about their choice between Hyderabad biryani and Karachi biryani in a video shared on the official Instagram account of the ICC Cricket World Cup. Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, along with Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, and Shadab Khan, expressed their admiration for Hyderabadi biryani and gave it high marks.
Here’s the video: