Former Pakistani fast-bowler and Superstar Shoaib Akhtar got into a heated argument with sports anchor Dr. Nauman Niaz at PTV Sports show “Game on Hai” on Tuesday night after Pakistan defeated New Zealand with five wickets.
What Happened?
As Shoaib Akhtar was going through some cricket trivia – during which he credited the Pakistan Super League’s Lahore Qalandars team for discovering Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf – the show’s host, Nauman Niaz, seemed to take offense and snapped back at Shoaib.
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
“You’re being a little rude and I don’t want to say this: but if you’re being over smart, you can go. I am saying this on-air,” Niaz told a dumbstruck Shoaib, cutting him short and moving to the next guest for their comment.
Shoaib Akhtar Responded Back
The incident soon became viral on social media with the two individuals becoming top trends on Twitter and videos of the confrontation circulating which prompted Akhtar to issue a video message to “clarify” the situation.
Multiple clips are circulating on social media so I thought I shud clarify. pic.twitter.com/ob8cnbvf90
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 26, 2021
Multiple clips are circulating on social media so I thought I shud clarify.dr noman was abnoxious and rude wen he asked me to leave the show,it was embarrassing specially wen u have legends like sir Vivian Richards and David gower sitting on the set with some of my contemporaries
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 26, 2021
Niaz’s 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
The incident invited outrage on Twitter, with many calling for Nauman Niaz to be sacked for insulting a national legend on live TV
PTV is run by public taxes and we the public cannot tolerate someone to be fed on our taxes who doesn’t know how to respect legendary players of this country. So being a taxpayer I demand govt to immediately take action against Nauman Niaz for disrespecting Shoaib Akhtar.
— umer feroz (@iamumerferoz) October 26, 2021
Very sorry to see the clip of Nauman Niaz insulting our national hero @shoaib100mph on PTV. Shoaib is a true hero and will always be. I cant believe Dr Nauman acted this way with an International celebrity in such a rude manner. Unbelievable
— Mubasher Lucman (@mubasherlucman) October 26, 2021
Narcissist Nauman Niaz really needs to learn how how to treat his guests. Shoaib Akhtar didn’t deserve to be embarrassed like that,…. on live Tv.
— Asfandyar Bhittani (@BhittaniKhannnn) October 26, 2021
Dr. Nauman Niaz was extremely obnoxious and rude in the way he behaved with Shoaib Akhtar on live TV. Shoaib did the right thing by walking away.
— Salman Masood (@salmanmasood) October 26, 2021
Dr. Nauman Niaz (@DrNaumanNiaz) should publicly apologize on live tv. We don’t want to show embarrassment to our legend, Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph), in front of so many legends. It’s totally unfair.#PAKvNZ #Gameonhai#PTVSports
— #PakvsAfg 🇵🇰🇦🇫 29th Oct (@muneeb_shafique) October 26, 2021
I don’t know if there’s any background story to it but one just can’t be rude like this with any of guests like this on live TV, that too for no reason.
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) October 26, 2021
