Watch: Shoaib Akhtar walks out of TV show after being ‘insulted’ by host

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has courted controversy by walking out of a live show and resigned from his job as cricket analyst after being told to leave the set by the host of the show at state-owned PTV.

Akhtar was on the show discussing the Babar Azam-led team's performance in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup along with cricketing greats such as West Indies' Vivian Richards and England's David Gower.

During the discussion, Akhtar credited the Pakistan Super League's Lahore Qalandars franchise for discovering Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.

The show host Nauman 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."

WOW!!!! Shoaib Akhtar just walks out of PTV Sports during live show. "jis tarah national TV par mere sath behave kiya gaya hai, I don't think I should be sitting here. I am resigning from PTV" Right thing to do after Dr Nauman Niaz insulting a national hero on national TV. https://t.co/vmA0BtbaDU pic.twitter.com/EPuqzweoqr

— Hassan (@iamhassan9) October 26, 2021

The incident soon became viral on social media and videos of the argument circulating which prompted Akhtar to issue a video message to "clarify" the situation.

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,” Akhtar tweeted.

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

However, in another clip, Akhtar can be seen telling Niaz to let the audience know "it was all planned. What we did is just to get more TRP", adding that the anchor was a "favourite guy" of his and he liked to "pull his legs".

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

In another tweet, Akhtar rejected the notion that it was a pre-planned move to boost TRP. He tweeted: “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.”