Shoaib Akhtar resigned and walked out of PTV Sport’s ‘Game On Hai’ after his verbal spat with Dr. Nauman Niaz. Read more to know the details.
Legendary bowler, Shoaib Akhtar walked out of ‘Game On Hai’ – a live cricket show on PTV Sports where former cricketers and sports analysts discuss T20 matches. A video clip from the show has gone viral overnight in which Dr. Nauman Niaz, the host of the show, can be seen abruptly cutting off Shoaib Akhtar while he was speaking and asking him to “leave the show if he wants to act over smart.” The show immediately went on a commercial break after this.
Shoaib Akhtar later came out with a video as well as a series of tweets clarifying what really happened. The former bowler said Dr. Nauman was being “obnoxious” and asked him to leave for “no rhyme or reason.” “It was embarrassing especially when you have legends like sir Vivian Richards and David Gower sitting on the set,” he added.
He went on to clarify that since there were many foreign superstars on the set, this entire scenario was putting across a negative image of Pakistan. Hence, he decided to salvage the situation by saying he was “pulling Dr. Nauman’s leg” when they went back on-air, with a mutual understanding that the host will apologize to Shoaib Akhtar on-air as well. However, Dr. Nauman did not apologize and the bowler felt he should leave because he had “had enough.”
Here is the full video of the former bowler’s clarification:
Multiple clips from the show are making rounds on social media and many people, including celebrities, found Dr. Nauman’s behaviour quite distasteful and uncalled for. They took to Twitter to voice their opinions, scroll down to read what they think.
Celebrities Speak Up To Defend Shoaib Akhtar
Momina Mustehsan called Shoaib Akhtar a “national hero” and tweeted in his defence.
She wrote, “#ShoaibAkhtar’s service to Pakistan and contributions to international Cricket forever have the utmost UNDISPUTED #respect of every Pakistani and every global fan of cricket. @shoaib100mph is a National Hero.”
Humayun Saeed thinks this was no way for the host to treat “one of the biggest international stars Pakistan has ever produced.”
“Arguments happen during TV shows but no host tells their guest to leave. That was no way to address any guest, let alone one of the biggest international stars Pakistan has ever produced. What happened, happened; Dr Noman should have at the very least apologised to @shoaib100mph.”
Adnan Siddiqui thinks the way Shoaib Akhtar handled the insult was laudable.
He wrote, “Really applaud the grace shown by @shoaib100mph. He handled the insult heaped on him with so much maturity and patience. Anyone else would have probably lost his cool on air but this guy maintained his dignity. Signs of a good upbringing #sheerclass.”
Present on the set of “Game On Hai’, David Gower, who is a highly respected former cricketer and captain of the England Cricket Team also wasn’t too pleased with Dr. Nauman’s comment.
The Twitterati Is Furious!
“Even if there wasn’t a legendary cricketer like #ShoaibAkhtar, still no one should be insulted on national TV when there are millions of people watching the live broadcast. #NaumanNiaz must resign or else he should be fired from the job,” says Asim Malik.
“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.”
“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,” says Salman Masood.
“We stand with our legend, speed star Shoaib Akhtar. remove dr. nauman from show as well as PTV,” wrote a furious Twitter user.
Dr. Nauman Niaz’s Side Of The Story
According to Dr. Nauman Niaz, people only know one side of the story. He took to Twitter to give out his statement which read:
“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.”
Here is the full clip of what happened in case you were wondering:
PTV is a huge platform and to a larger extent, represents Pakistan. In a show where such renowned former international cricket stars are invited, no one should conduct themselves how Dr. Nauman did. Secondly, one does not have to be a national star to deserve respect. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect.
What do you guys think? Should Dr. Nauman apologise? Tell us your opinion.
