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Shoaib Akhtar walked out of a live cricket segment of a Pakistani TV channel after anchor Nauman Niaz called him “rude” and suggested the pace icon to leave the show. The incident happened following Pakistan’s five-wicket win over New Zealand in the Super-12 game of the T20 World Cup on Tuesday.
During the show, Akhtar was heaping praise on Lahore Qalandars’ player development program for the exceptional performance by speedster Haris Rauf, who bagged four wickets while conceding only 22 runs in his spell. Rauf was also adjudged Player of the Match for his exemplary display with the ball.
Anchor Niaz showed his disagreement over Akhtar’s point, saying Shaheen Shah Afridi was the product of U-19 cricket but Akhtar kept on praising Qalandars during the show.
Niaz seemed irritated and eventually said that Shoaib is trying to be “over smart” and should leave the show in the heat of the moment. When things looked out of control, the anchor took the commercial break immediately after the incident.
However, even after the break when the show was resumed both didn’t seem happy and acted like whatever happened was pre-planned. Later on, Akhtar put more light on the incident through his Twitter account.
“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,” Akhtar tweeted.
“I tried to save everyone from embarrassment by saying I was pulling Dr Noman’s leg with this mutual understanding that he will also politely apologise and we will move on with the show, which he refused to do. Then I had no other choice,” the 46-year-old added.
As per sources, Akhtar has resigned his contract with the TV channel following the disagreement.
