ISLAMABAD: Former cricket star Shoaib Akhtar has been served a defamation notice worth Rs1 billion by sports journalist and former PCB official Dr Nauman Niaz, reviving their long-standing public feud.
The legal notice, dated May 29, accuses Akhtar of making baseless and unethical remarks about Niaz during a recent TV appearance, damaging his reputation.
Details of the Defamation Notice
The notice points to Akhtar’s comments on a private news channel where he said that Niaz “used to carry our bags” and “was kept for that purpose,” statements that the notice calls “factually incorrect” and an assault on Niaz’s dignity.
It further accuses Akhtar of using foul language with the intent to destroy the reputation Niaz built through hard work.
I have received a legally defective, unfounded, ego satisfying and utterly frivolous Defamation Notice from Nouman Niaz. I have engaged Mr. @SalmanKNiazi1, a trustworthy, brilliant and capable lawyer, to draft and send a befitting reply in this regard. He will represent me.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) June 2, 2025
The notice warns that failure to issue an apology and retraction within 14 days will result in legal action under the Defamation Ordinance 2002, seeking damages of Rs1 billion.
Background of the Feud
This is not the first time the two have clashed publicly. Their feud dates back to 2021 when Niaz apologised unconditionally after a heated exchange on a PTV Sports panel, which led to Akhtar resigning from the channel. At the time, Niaz had confronted Akhtar over his praise of the Lahore Qalandars, which escalated into a tense exchange on live television.
Despite the apology, tensions have persisted between the two.
Following the latest notice, Akhtar described it as “legally defective, unfounded, ego-satisfying, and utterly frivolous” on social media and has sought legal counsel to respond appropriately.
The ongoing dispute continues to capture attention in Pakistan’s cricket and media circles.
