Shoaib Akhtar released a statement on Twitter afterwards, saying that because several videos were circulating on social media, he thought he should clarify the controversy.

“Nauman Niaz was being obnoxious and he asked me to leave for no rhyme or reason and I don’t know why he said it. Then they went on a break.”

Shoaib referred to himself as a “national star” who was abruptly insulted and brushed aside on national television.