'I can apologize a million times' - PTV anchor Dr. Nauman Niaz after his on-screen spat with Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistan television anchor Dr. Nauman Niaz has now tendered an apology after his spat with Shoaib Akhtar. Akhtar and Niaz were involved in an argument on live TV, and it resulted in Akhtar leaving the show midway.

And, this incident has hogged the limelight in the world of cricket. Niaz has now opened up on the incident and said that the repercussions of his on-screen argument with Akhtar are fair.

Adding that he will even apologize a million times, Niaz said that he has hurt the sentiments of a lot of people with his behaviour. Niaz also labelled Akhtar as a rollicking star as well.

“The repercussions of my on-air outburst are totally fair. To err is human, that should not have happened and for that, I can apologize for not only once but a million times. I know I hurt the sentiments of a lot of people and that includes Shoaib Akhtar, who has been a rollicking star… regardless of the fact that it was his mistake or not,” said Niaz in an interaction with Rauf Klasra on YouTube.

I also sign Shoaib Akhtar’s salary as I am the head of the channel: Nauman Niaz

Nauman Niaz also added that he is the person who signs Shoaib Akhtar’s salary as he is the Head of the channel. Niaz revealed that Akhtar was given a retainer for the whole year, but the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ later asked for an increment in his salary.

“Shoaib was contracted with us [PTV Sports] on basis of exclusivity. People think that I’m just the host; they forget that I also sign his [Shoaib Akhtar] salary because I’m the head of the channel. The problem which I was facing is that we give him a retainer throughout the year and these big tournaments are the cash cows in terms of return on investment.

So we announced him [as part of the show during the World Cup] but after that Shoaib asked me for an increment in his salary or a fixed sum of money apart from his usual retainer. Later, we met the managing director and agreed on a certain figure,” said Niaz.

Niaz also said that he is ready to apologize to Akhtar in front of the entire country as he considers it his obligation to do so. “I don’t want to disrespect anyone. I’m ready to apologize in front of the whole nation for that inexcusable act as I consider it my duty and obligation,” concluded Niaz.