Shaheer Ahmed
As Pakistan bagged a victory against New Zealand in the T20i match on Tuesday, one would expected all attention to be towards the win, however, the limelight shifted to the on air spat between shoaib akhtar rawalpindi express and Dr. Nauman Niaz.
Shoaib Akhtar has been appearing as a guest on PTV for their show “Game On Hai” hosted by Dr. Nauman Niaz for the critical analysis of on-going WorldCup T20i. On Tuesday 26th Oct, things took a rather bold turn when a mere disagreement between Niaz and Akhtar turned into an insult on live TV which compelled the legendary former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar to resign on air.
On the show Game On Hai, the panel was discussing the match played between Pakistan and New Zealand 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 bowler Umar Gul.
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.”
This raises a very important question: Do the anchors think so highly of themselves that they can say and do whatever they want on national TV to our legends?
This incident immediately went viral on social media grabbing almost everyone’s attention. From celebrities to politicians and journalists, everyone began speaking up in favour of our national legend Shoaib Akhtar.
Standing Committee Meeting on this issue to be held post WC as we do care. https://t.co/JgM6Tu1gK9
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) October 27, 2021
I really really feel embarrassed & frankly no words to say what I saw on @PTVSp0rts. Such a shame what message legends like @ivivianrichards & @David215Gower would take back home about Pakistan.
— Kamran Yousaf (@Kamran_Yousaf) October 27, 2021
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 pic.twitter.com/BHQVO7boZW
— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) October 27, 2021
We must learn to respect our national heroes & each other generally. We are entitled to our opinions but the same can be expressed politely in a more cultured fashion with the right choice of words to avoid hurting others’ feelings. @shoaib100mph you’re a legend. #shoaibakhter pic.twitter.com/M4oZBXPfC6
— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) October 27, 2021
Later, shoaib akhtar rawalpindi express 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.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
However, the act by Dr. Nauman Niaz was undeniably wrong and condemnable. Treating our National heroes like this on national TV raises questions of how we acknowledge and treat our stars. The panel consisted of foreign guests which will take back a rather questionable impression of our treatment towards our legends. PTV needs to take notice and conduct a proper inquiry. That’s the least we owe to our legends.
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