The Hot Spot was honoured to host the Indian cricket team twice within a week in the middle of April while the team was in town for the Test match. Last Saturday Rahul Dravid and the team management were at The Hot Spot to sample the sumptuous and legendary food from Namak Mandi of Peshawar that had specially been arranged for the occasion.

Laxmipathy Balaji on the verge of being mobbed

Dravid tucked into his lamb chops heartily and they must have done him some good as just two days later he was flaying the hapless Pakistani attack to the tune of 270. Dravid should really be appointed by the UN as one of their roving ambassadors because rarely could a person be such a shining example of everything that is good about people. Each time one had the pleasure of meeting him he was totally unassuming, never once talking about himself and his life, always taking the trouble to ask others about their work and lives and with an avid interest in learning about the places he visits and to absorb from the people he meets. This man is a champion in more ways than one and will remain a champion long after he stashes his pads and bat away – Rahul Dravid is a real Indian hero.

Laxmipathy Balaji and Irfan Pathan - immensely popular and likeable guys

The following Friday, having smashed the Pakistan side to an embarrassed pulp, the Indian cricketers decided to
let their hair down at The Hot Spot and this time the entire lot arrived with plenty of wives and friends in tow. Again the delightful and diminutive Thanedar arrived with his sumptuous lamb chops from Peshawar and the evening went down a storm. The cricketers were in top form, utterly relaxed after their triumph and ready to seriously tuck into some food and desserts. Here are some snaps from the second dinner held on Friday the 16th of April at The Hot Spot in Islamabad.

Laxmipathy Balaji takes orders for his "Balaji Special" -



Sachin soon ordered a Philadelphia Supreme Cheesecake! -


Ashish Nehra, Partiv Patel, Ramesh Powar, Mohd Kaif and Balaji


Yuvraj Singh tells a story


Skipper planning the next move!?


Irfan Pathan sampling some true Pathani food


L Balaji with Ramesh Powar


Rahul Dravid charming local couple Mr and Mrs Shakir Khattak


Yuvraj explains the art of bowling a maiden over!


Ashish Nehra and Murali Kartik


PCB chairman with Nehra, Laxman and Patel


Sachin Tendulkar looking sharp


The skipper signs while Sachin's cheesecake is handed for onward travel!


Rahul Dravid smiles as he tucks into his Mississippi Mud Pie