The unsavoury history between one of the biggest superstars of Pakistan cricket, Shoaib Akhtar, and one of its most respected analysts, Dr. Nauman Niaz, has come to the fore once again after the former’s recent remarks.
After years of enduring what his legal team has described as a “malicious, one-sided campaign,” veteran sports broadcaster and journalist Dr. Nauman Niaz has taken legal action against former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar for repeated defamatory remarks made in public and on media platforms.
The turning point came during Episode 31 of The Dug Out, a cricket show streamed on Tamasha on May 25, 2025.
Shoaib Akhtar, speaking during the episode, made what was described as a “casual yet unmistakably derogatory” comment, saying in Urdu: “Yeh Dr. Nauman Niaz hamarey bag uthata tha, humney issey bag uthaney ke liye rakha hua tha.” The remark implied that Niaz had once functioned as a mere porter or personal aide — a claim Dr. Niaz and his legal counsel call “patently false, baseless, and defamatory.”
The legal notice, issued by advocate Qazi Umair Ali on May 29, 2025, firmly rejects this characterization and accuses the former cricketer of not only distorting facts but also deliberately undermining Niaz’s legacy as one of Pakistan’s most recognized media figures. It details that Dr. Niaz has held various high-level roles within the Pakistan Cricket Board and contributed prolifically to sports journalism, as well as receiving a Tamgha-e-Imtiaz recognizing his services.
The notice claims that Akhtar’s repeated public statements — often made without evidence — have caused reputational damage, emotional distress, and professional harm, not just within the media but among business partners and stakeholders in the sports fraternity. It references Pakistan’s Defamation Ordinance 2002 in asserting the legal foundation for the action and hints at potential further proceedings if a public apology or retraction is not issued.
This is not the first time tensions have flared between the two. Their strained relationship hit national headlines in 2021 during a heated on-air exchange on PTV Sports, after which Shoaib Akhtar walked off the set. While the matter was considered resolved, public jabs and social media commentary have kept the feud simmering, but the latest legal route marks a major escalation.
Whether Shoaib Akhtar chooses to respond legally, retract his statements, or remain defiant, one thing is clear: Dr. Nauman Niaz has moved from silence to legal assertion — and the ball is now in Akhtar’s court.
You can watch what Shoaib Akhtar’s comments here:
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Jan tak soraj chaand rahay ga shoaib akhtar tumhara name rahay ga. Jab show pay bula kar shoaib ko beizaat kya tha tab aglay ki respect yad nahi. Our prayers and best wishes with shoaib akhtar hero of Pakistan