ISLAMABAD: Former speedster Shoaib Akhtar ignited a controversy after he walked out of a television show Tuesday night following disagreements with the host, cricket commentator Nauman Niaz.
Akhtar, during the live programme for T20 World Cup on PTV Sports, said he “resigned” as a cricket analyst of the channel and walked off after Niaz called him “rude”, adding the former paceman was “free to leave” the show if he wished so.
The problem began when Akhtar apparently ignored the line of questioning by the host and decided to talk about pacer Haris Rauf, which annoyed Niaz who accused him of “misbehaving with him”.
Akhtar was asked whether Pakistan made a mess of the chase against New Zealand. He did not agree and, ignoring the line of questioning by the host, decided to talk about Rauf and chose to lavish praise on Lahore Qalanders, a Pakistan Super League (PSL) franchise, and its coach, Aaqib Javed for discovering and nurturing the bowler.
“This is the guy who deserves all the credit. It was Lahore Qalanders who gave us Haris Rauf,” Akhtar said, pointing towards the former Test pacer, as Noman tried to interrupt him.
The host, clearly annoyed and irritated, told Akhtar he had been “misbehaving with him” and he would not tolerate that and in such circumstances, it was better if he left the show and then went for a commercial break.
Following the break when the transmission resumed, there was more drama when Akhtar said he would like to “close the unpleasant incident” but demanded an apology from the host first who did not budge and started discussing the game.
A few minutes later, Akhtar turned to his fellow experts on the panel and, after apologising to them, announced his resignation from PTV Sports.
“My apologies for this but I am resigning immediately from PTV Sports as I have been insulted and treated badly on live television in front of the nation,” he said.
He subsequently got up, took off his microphone, and left. Host Niaz did not attempt to call him back and showed no reaction at all and carried on with the show as normal.
After video clippings of the incident went viral on social media, Akhtar took to Twitter to give a video statement.
“Multiple clips are circulating on social media so I thought I should clarify. Dr Nauman was obnoxious (sic) and rude [when] he asked me to leave the show,” he tweeted.
Multiple clips are circulating on social media so I thought I shud clarify. pic.twitter.com/ob8cnbvf90
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 26, 2021
“It was embarrassing especially [when you] have legends like sir Vivian Richards and David Gower sitting on the set with some of my contemporaries and seniors, and millions watching.
“I tried to save everyone from embarrassment by saying I was pulling [Niaz’s] leg with this mutual understanding that [he] will also politely apologise and we will move on with the show, which he refused to do. Then I had no other choice,” he added further.
Nauman too took to Twitter to explain his version of the incident.
I wonder why one has to be reminded @shoaib100mph is a star. He has been the best of the best, he shall always be. He has brought laurels to the country is undeniable. One side of the story always attracts nonetheless having been friends for ages I’ll always wish him the best.
— Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz) October 26, 2021
The other guests on the show including cricket greats Sir Vivian Richards, Gower, Rashid Latif, Umar Gul, Rashid Latif, Javed and women’s cricket team captain Sana Mir were clearly shaken by the incident.
FAWAD TAKES NOTICE:
On Wednesday, Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry took notice of the incident and constituted a committee to look into the matter, which will be headed by the PTV managing director.
People from other sectors, including the PTV’s Human Resources (HR) department, will also be a part of the committee.
The committee will figure out why the argument between the two took place and it will send its findings to the information minister.
In case the findings highlight Dr Nauman Niaz’s mistake, the committee will take action against him.
