Shoab Akhtar-Nauman Niaz Clash: Nauman Niaz Held Responsible

Monitoring Desk — An unwanted situation was created during the PTV Sports show ‘Game on Hai’ on late Tuesday night just after the Pak-New Zealand match in the T20 World Cup concluded.

While giving his expert opinion on the match, former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar credited the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) Lahore Qalandars team for discovering stars like Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. In response, show’s host Nauman Niaz, who perhaps didn’t like Shoab’s comments, came up with a very strange and unexpected outburst.

“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 asked the stunned Rawalpindi Express. Later Niaz cut Shoab short and moved to the next guest for their comments. It is yet not clear what irked Niaz for his irrational behavior.

Niaz called for a commercial break as tension in the room heightened following the interruption.

The show later resumed with a charged atmosphere and Shoaib eventually decided to walk away from the show after apologizing to the other guests, which included Sana Mir, Sir Viv Richards, and David Gower.

“A lot of apologies guys, a lot of apologies. I am resigning from PTV. The way I have been treated on national TV, I don’t think I should be sitting here right now. So, I am resigning. Thank you very much,” he said, before unclipping his mic and getting up from the table.

Later in his video message, Shoaib clarified his position saying he had been ready to bury the hatchet to prevent further embarrassment.

“Multiple clips are circulating on social media so I thought I should clarify. Dr. Norman 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 with some of my contemporaries and seniors and millions watching.”

Shoaib wrote on Twitter: “I tried to save everyone from embarrassment by saying I was pulling Dr. Noman’s leg with this mutual understanding that Dr. Noman will also politely apologize and we will move on with the show, which he refused to do. Then I had no other choice.”

The incident invited outrage on Twitter, with many calling for Nauman Niaz to be sacked for insulting a national legend on live TV.

Inquiry Committee Formed

PTV administration has formed an inquiry committee to probe the matter. Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcast has also summoned a meeting in this regard.

Nauman Niaz Held Responsible

The inquiry committee in its initial findings has held the program host Dr. Nauman Niaz responsible for the entire spat. The committee has decided that unless the inquiry is complete, Nauman Niaz and Shoab Akhtar will both remain off-air and won’t be able to appear in any show on PTV.