New Delhi: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has landed in legal trouble after making some controversial remarks on Nauman Niaz, a notable broadcaster, writer and cricket historian from Pakistan. Niaz has sent a legal notice to Akhtar, accusing the former Pakistan pacer of defaming and discrediting him with his comments on a TV show in Pakistan.
Speaking on a show which also had Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim on the panel, Akhtar described Niaz as a ‘kit man’ during his time with the Pakistan team. The former pacer said Niaz’s only job was to ensure the players’ luggage was carried to their hotel rooms. Niaz, a popular television figure and cricket voice in Pakistan, had worked as a data analyst with the Pakistan team on a couple of tours during Akhtar’s playing days.
Niaz, who has also served as the former Director of Sports at the state-owned Pakistan Television Network, has sent a legal notice through his lawyer after Akhtar’s comments on him. While speaking on the show, Akhtar mocked the domestic coaches and support staff who have worked with the Pakistan team, before citing Niaz’s example, stating that the former analyst used to carry the luggage of the players.
Ye Dr Nauman Niaz humare bag uthatha tha na. Humne use pehli dafa bag uthane ke liye rakha hua tha. Twitter pe kuch likhta hota tha, analyst tha but primarily uska kaam humara bag kamro tak pahuchane ka tha (Nauman Niaz used to carry our bags. We kept him to carry our bags during his first tour with Pakistan. He was an analyst, but his primary job was to ensure our luggage reached our rooms),” Akhtar said on the show.
‘Dr. Nauman Niaz ko hum ne bag uthanay k liye rakha hua tha’ – Shoaib Akhtar
🎥: The DugOut#PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/3zh8w9sSSH
— Usman (@jamilmusman_) May 30, 2025
Niaz has demanded an unconditional apology from Akhtar within 14 days for his controversial comments. In the legal notice, Niaz’s legal counsel has stated that failure to comply will invite further legal action against Akhtar, including pressing for monetary damages.
When Shoaib Akhtar walked out of Nauman Niaz’s show
This is not the first time Akhtar has been involved in a controversy with Niaz. The duo were involved in an ugly spat during a live TV show on Pakistan television (PTV) during the T20 World Cup 2021. Akhtar was asked by Niaz, who was the host, to leave the show if he wished to after a comment from the former pacer irked him.
Akhtar later left the show and resigned from PTV during the show. He was later slapped with a defamation notice from PTV while the dispute between him and Niaz was resolved after intervention from a then Pakistani minister.
Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar has been accused of defamation and served a legal notice by cricket historian and broadcaster Nauman Niaz. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
