Shoaib ‘utterly disappointed’ after receiving Rs100m defamation notice

Lahore: Former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was ‘utterly disappointed’ after receiving a defamation notice from Pakistan Television (PTV) and announced his plans to pursue a legal war against state-owned television.   

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar received a legal notice for breaching his contract and served a Rs.100 million defamation notice due to the loss incurred by the PTV, after his appearance on an India television channel in Dubai.   

In a tweet on Sunday, Akhtar said, "After miserably failing to safeguard my respect & repute while I was working for PTV, they have now sent me a Recovery Notice”. 

Announcing his plans to pursue a legal battle, the former captain said that he is a fighter and will nopt give up.

While naming his lawyer, Akhtar said, “My lawyer @SalmanKNiazi1 will take this forward according to law”.

Utterly Disappointed. After miserably failing to safeguard my respect & repute while i was working for PTV, they have now sent me a Recovery Notice. I am a fighter & will not give up & fight this legal battle. My lawyer @SalmanKNiazi1 will take this forward according to law.

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) November 7, 2021

As per notice, Shoaib Akhtar went to Dubai without telling the admin and did a show with Indian cricketers, causing huge damage to the state TV.

The notice also questioned the cricket star as to why he resigned suddenly. It claimed Shoaib Akhtar was bound to pay his three-month salary in case of resignation and could not participate in any other TV program.

Last month, Shoaib Akhtar walked out of a state-run TV program and tendered his resignation after being ‘insulted’ on-air by host Nauman Niaz – who is heading PTV Sports Department. 

The incident invited ire among Shoaib Akhtar’s fans who raised the demand for tendering and apology from Nauman Niaz.

Nauman Niaz remained unshaken though other guests including Sir Vivian Richards, David Gower, Rashid Latif, Umar Gul, and Aaqib Javed were shaken.

Shoaib Akhtar was heaping praise on pacer Haris Rauf discovered by Aaqib Javed when Nauman Niaz mistreated Shoaib Akhtar and asked him to leave as he was not bothering to act on his directions.

“You have misbehaved with me and I am telling you, you can leave the show now," the host said and asked for a break.

When the transmission resumed, Shoaib Akhtar said he would like to close the unpleasant incident but demanded an apology from the host, who refused to budge.

A few minutes later Shoaib Akhtar turned to his fellow experts, tender his apology, and announced stepping down.