Pakistan quick speaks out, walks out

It was a big day for outspoken former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

Never short of a quote or opinion, Akhtar had another dig at the Black Caps for cancelling their recent Pakistan tour, watched his former team beat its rivals in a thriller at the Twenty20 World Cup, then promptly quit his television pundit’s job live on air.

Akhtar was one of the Black Caps’ harshest critics after they cut short their recent tour due to a security threat. At the time Akhtar said New Zealand Cricket had ‘‘killed Pakistan cricket’’, and he couldn’t resist another jab on Twitter before yesterday’s match in Sharjah.

‘‘I request all Pakistan fans to remain silent and not enjoy too extravagantly. There is every chance that New Zealand may ask for the match to be called off due to too much noise inside the stadium, if not for security concerns,’’ he posted.

Then things heated up in the studio on Pakistan TV, where Akhtar was a panellist alongside West Indies great Viv Richards and former England run machine David Gower.

Host Nauman Niaz told Akhtar he was ‘‘being a little rude’’ before throwing to him again later in the segment. After a long pause, Akhtar promptly told viewers he was resigning before standing up and leaving the studio as the cameras rolled.