On Pakistan’s state-run sports channel PTV Sports, former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar and host Dr Nauman Niaz had a hot exchange of words during the live transmission of the Pakistan and New Zealand match.
After the nail-biting T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and New Zealand, Dr Nauman asked Shoaib a question, which turned into a fight when Dr Niaz asked Akhtar to leave the show.
The clash started off when Nauman asked Shoaib Akhtar a question. Shoaib said Hassan Ali should not have bowled in the beginning as the ball was reversing later.
Shoaib asked Nauman about Shaheen Shah Afridi’s ball reversing. “Did you see the game?”
Nauman replied, “Yes, I saw the match.” In response, Shoaib Akhtar said again, “Were you lost?”
During the same conversation, Shoaib went ahead and talked about giving credit to Lahore Qalandars while talking about Haris Rauf. However, Shoaib continued by mentioning Shaheen Shah Afridi.
“Aqib Javed brought Shaheen Shah Afridi and made him a part of the player development program,” said Shoaib. Here, Nauman said in the middle of Shoaib’s speech that “Shaheen Afridi had played under-19 for Pakistan.” On this Shoaib said, “I am talking about Haris Rauf. Nauman Niaz reiterated that Shaheen had played for Pakistan. Shoaib Akhtar responded rather seriously, “Sir please! Somebody came to work.”
“You are becoming rude. I didn’t mean to say this … but if you’re getting over-smart then go. I’m saying this on-air,” responded Nauman.
The host took a break from the show. After they returned on-air, Shoaib was once again asked a question by Nauman.
“The way I was treated on national television, I don’t think I should be sitting here. I am resigning from PTV,” said Shoaib before walking out from the studio.
After the squabble, there were speculations that the entire fight was pre-planned. Shoaib took to Twitter and wrote, “Multiple clips are circulating on social media so I thought I should clarify. Dr Nauman was obnoxious and rude when he asked me to leave the show, it was embarrassing especially when you have legends like sir Vivian Richards and David Gower sitting on the set.”
“I tried to save everyone from embarrassment by saying I was pulling Dr Nauman’s leg with this mutual understanding that dr noman will also politely apologise and we will move on with the show, which he refused to do. Then I had no other choice,” added Shoaib.
