Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar walks out of TV talk show after being 'insulted,' video goes viral

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

Pakistan’s fiery fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar walked out of a live cricket show on state-owned Pakistan Television (PTV) Sports after the anchor, Dr Nauman Niaz, told him to "leave the show” following an argument.

Various clips circulating on social media suggested that the unwanted incident started when Akhtar mentioned Lahore Qalandars’ player development programme to praise Haris Rauf — the man of the match in Pakistan’s win against New Zealand on Tuesday in Sharjah.

The anchor dismissed Akhtar, instead suggesting that Shaheen Afridi was the product of U19 cricket. To this, the speedster repeated that he’s referring to Haris Rauf. However, the anchor said Akhtar was being over smart and should leave the show. The show immediately went on to a break after that.

Following resumption of the show, Akhtar was still on set but looked uncomfortable. At one point, both tried to play down the incident by pretending it was pre-planned and that they’re trying to pull each other’s leg.

The former fast bowler, however, said in a video statement that it was an attempt to calm down the situation after he was insulted in front of all the legends of the world.

The two were part of a panel for PTV Sports programme "Game On Hai" along with guests such as West Indies batting legend Sir Vivian Richards, former England captain David Gower, former Pakistan women's captain Sana Mir and former fast bowlers Aqib Javed and Umar Gul. The panel was discussing the Pakistan-New Zealand T20 World Cup match, which Pakistan won by five wickets.

During a discussion on the Pakistan squad, Akhtar credited the Pakistan Super League's Lahore Qalandars franchise for discovering Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.

Niaz took issue with Akhtar's comments 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."

Once the show resumed after a break, Akhtar apologised to the guests on the panel and announced his resignation from PTV, saying that he could not continue with the programme because of "how I was treated on national television."

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.

However, in another snippet from the show, Akhtar can be seen telling Niaz to let the audience know "it was all planned. What we did is just try and get more TRP (television rating point)," adding that the anchor was a "favourite guy" of his and he liked to "pull his legs."

Akhtar, in a tweet, rejected the notion that it was a pre-planned move to boost TRP as he gave context to his own remarks that on face appeared as an admission of it being a stunt.

Later, giving his side of the story, Akhtar tweeted and posted a video, saying that Niaz had been "obnoxious" and that he was quitting the show.

"Multiple clips are circulating on social media so I thought I should clarify. Dr Noman was obnoxious 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 (sic)," tweeted Akhtar.

In a two-minute video posted on social media, Akhtar said, "There was an unpleasant incident on PTV where Nauman Niaz was being obnoxious and he asked me to leave for no rhyme or reason… I don't know why he said that. He insulted a national star on national TV and side-lined me. I realised that all the superstars (former cricketers) were on the show, what image will they form?

"I asked Nauman to somehow settle the issue… because the conversation would go viral. So, in order to ensure that a negative portrayal doesn't go out to the foreigners, I tried to pass it off as a joke, that he was pulling my leg. I asked him to say sorry to me on TV but he didn't. When he didn't say sorry, I thought I had had enough and it was time for me to leave (sic).

"I tried my level best to repair the damage within the programme but he didn't say sorry to me. He insulted me on national TV. Being a national star, I felt very bad… so many foreigners (were) sitting in the programme; what will they think… what impression will they carry… how national stars are insulted here. I thought I should resign and leave. I just got up and left. A very sad incident," concluded Akhtar.

The incident caused an uproar on social media with politicians, journalists coming to the former cricketer's defence and criticising Niaz for his behaviour.

The ruling Pakistan Tehrik-e-Indaf (PTI) Senator Faisal Javed Khan said it was a matter of "prestige and dignity" and had been very "unprofessionally handled." He said there would be a standing committee meeting on the issue as well.

He chided PTV for going "completely off track" and called on the state broadcaster to "restore the legacy."

Journalist and anchor Kamran Yousaf said he was "embarrassed" by the incident and left speechless. He lamented what message the guests on the panel would take away from the incident.

Dawn editor Ismail Khan came down hard against Niaz.

Anchorperson Dr Shahid Masood, meanwhile, praised Akhtar as a very "sophisticated person" in reality and said he was saddened though not surprised by the incident.

"Maybe doing all this with our heroes has become our new national behaviour," he tweeted.

Geo News anchor Muhammad Junaid was much more direct in his criticism. "Dr Nauman is a shameless disgusting individual," he hit out.

Senior journalist Matiullah Jan also entered the fray and said Niaz had displayed "shameful and petty" behaviour. "He must apologise to Pakistanis," he tweeted.

PTV forms committee to probe incident

PTV administration took notice of the incident and formed a committee to probe the incident, according to a statement posted on its sports channel's official Twitter account.

The statement said the first session of the committee will be held on Wednesday (today) and probe the situation that occurred between Niaz and Akhtar.