Shoaib Akhtar quits live on air after facing ‘rude and obnoxious’ behaviour

Former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar quit live on air after facing “rude and obnoxious” behaviour during a show on PTV Sports.

In a post-match show, after Pakistan’s win over New Zealand, Akhtar and the show’s host, Dr Nauman Niaz, were involved in a verbal spat while discussing the impact of Lahore Qalandars’ Player Development Program (PDP) on pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf’s performance.

“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 Akhtar and immediately switched to a commercial break.

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

Shoaib and Nauman remained on air after the break but the former eventually decided to leave the show after apologising to the other guests, which included cricket greats like 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,” said Akhtar before leaving the set.

Later, Akhtar explained the incident on his official Twitter account through a brief video and couple of tweets.

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

and seniors and millions watching. I tried to save everyone from embarrassment by saying I was pulling dr nomans 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 .

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) October 26, 2021