Watch: Shoaib Akhtar walks out of live television after being insulted
Former Pakistan fast-bowler Shoaib Akhtar made a sudden departure from a live television show and quit his job as a cricket analyst after being told to leave the set by the host of the show on PTV while analysing Pakistan's win over New Zealand at the ongoing T20 World Cup.
According to the pacer, he was treated unpleasantly and was insulted on air by the host in the show. Talking over the match on PTV 'Game on Hai', Akhtar credited the Pakistan Super League's Lahore Qalandars team for discovering Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.
The host Nauman Niaz failed to agree with Akhtar's comments and said: "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."
Here's the video:
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
The former Pakistan pacer, who was on the show alongside ex-cricketers David Gower and Viv Richards, said he couldn’t carry on.
"A lot of apologies guys, a lot of apologies," Shoaib Akhtar said ahead of leaving the set. "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."
However, the other guests on the show, including Vivian Richards, David Gower, Rashid Latif, Umar Gul, Aaqib Javed and Pakistan women’s team captain Sana Mir were without doubt shocked by the happening.
Later, Shoaib Akhtar himself took to Twitter in order to shed light on the incident.
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
Multiple clips are circulating on social media so I thought I shud clarify. pic.twitter.com/ob8cnbvf90
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 26, 2021
“Many video clips are going around on social media so I thought I should clarify. dr noman was obnoxious and rude when he asked me to leave the show," Akhtar tweeted.
“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.
“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 apologise and we would move on with the show, which he refused to do. Then I had no other option,” Akhtar added.
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