Shoaib Akhtar resigns from PTV after Nauman Niaz ‘snubs’ him on-air

Pakistan’s legendary fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar resigned during live transmission on Tuesday from PTV following an exchange of words in the sports show Game On Hai with the host Dr Nauman Niaz.

Akhtar was a part of the eight-member expert panel along with Sir Vivian Richards, David Gower, Sana Mir and other analysts.

The unpleasant situation emerged when the panellists were analysing Pakistan team’s performance in their face-off against New Zealand in the 2021 World Cup, which they won by five wickets after a hard-fought contest.

The video clips from the particular segment started doing rounds on social media, while people expressed anger towards Dr Niaz for disrespecting a national hero on live television.

It all started when Akhtar accredited Pakistan Super League franchise Lahore Qalandars for Harris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi’s discovery.

Dr Nauman Niaz and Shoaib Akhtar had a harsh exchange of words during live PTV transmission. pic.twitter.com/nE0OhhtjIm

— Kamran Malik (@Kamran_KIMS) October 26, 2021

After an apparent miscommunication regarding which player the former fast bowler was talking about, Dr Niaz got triggered and said, “You are being a little rude so I don’t want to say this but if you’re being over-smart then you can go. I am saying this on air.”

Dr Niaz then tried to change the topic and diverted his attention to Mir, but the Rawalpindi Express intervened; however, the host went on to take a break.

Later on, when the show resumed, Akhtar and Dr Niaz tried to reconcile the situation by calling it a pre-planned stunt. However, according to the fastest bowler, he had asked the host to apologise to him, but he refused and eventually Akhtar resigned from the channel on live TV.

“Lot of apologies guys, I am resigning from PTV and the way I have been treated on the national TV, I don’t think I should be sitting here,” he said before taking off his microphone and walking out.

Later in the night, Akhtar released a video to explain the whole situation, where he stated Dr Niaz was being ‘obnoxious’ and only asked him to leave for no reason.

“He sidelined me after abruptly insulting me — a national star — on national TV and then went on break. I realised that superstars and foreigners are sitting and what image would be delivered so I asked Nauman to end the matter otherwise what you’ve done with me will go viral and there will be no solution to that.”

The 46-year-old ex-pacer said he asked the host to apologise to him but he didn’t which obligated him to leave the show. “I tried my level best to repair the damage [in] the programme,” Akhtar added.

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Multiple clips are circulating on social media so I thought I shud clarify. pic.twitter.com/ob8cnbvf90

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 26, 2021

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Senator Faisal Javed Khan also raised his voice to support the national star and said that it was a matter of “prestige and dignity” and had been handled very ‘unprofessionally’.

Standing Committee Meeting on this issue to be held post WC as we do care. https://t.co/JgM6Tu1gK9

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— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) October 27, 2021

Meanwhile, Dr Niaz tweeted on the matter, calling Akhtar a ‘star’ and adding that people only knew one side of the story.

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

After all the drama, the PTV administration has taken notice of the incident and formed a committee to investigate the whole incident.

پی ٹی وی انتظامیہ کا پی ٹی وی سپورٹس پر شعیب اختر کےساتھ پروگرام میں پیش آنے والے واقعہ کا نوٹس pic.twitter.com/FfHdvDVCTO

— PTV Sports (@PTVSp0rts) October 27, 2021

The first session of the investigating committee will be held on Wednesday (today).