Khawaja Claims Entire Australian Team Knew of 2018 Sandpapergate Scandal

SYDNEY: Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has made explosive claims that the entire Australian team was aware of the infamous 2018 ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal during the Test match in Cape Town. Khawaja’s comments come ahead of the release of his autobiography, where he dedicates a chapter to the controversial incident.

Khawaja stated that not just the leadership trio of Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft, who faced severe penalties, were privy to the ball-tampering tactics. He emphasized, “It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us,” contradicting earlier denials from bowlers like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, who claimed ignorance in 2021.

The scandal, which led to Smith receiving a one-year ban and losing the captaincy, Warner being suspended for 12 months, and Bancroft facing a nine-month suspension, has had lasting implications for Australian cricket. Khawaja’s revelations could reignite discussions about accountability and ethics within the sport, raising questions about team culture and integrity.

As the cricket community awaits the full release of Khawaja’s autobiography, further scrutiny on the events surrounding Sandpapergate is expected. This could lead to renewed calls for transparency and reform within Cricket Australia.