Former Pakistan cricket captain Wasim Akram has weighed in on Australia’s renewed Sandpapergate controversy, questioning whether experienced bowlers could have failed to notice that sandpaper had been used to alter the condition of the ball during the 2018 Cape Town Test.
Akram also praised Australians for their honesty, expressing concern over the renewed controversy surrounding one of cricket’s biggest scandals.
“Australians are known and famous for their straightforwardness, hardness on the field, off the field, and, most importantly, honesty,” Akram said.
His comments follow Australian captain Pat Cummins’ strong rejection of allegations made by former teammate Usman Khawaja, who claimed in his autobiography that knowledge of the ball-tampering plan was widespread within the Australian team.
Speaking in a video posted on social media from Melbourne, Akram said an experienced bowler would immediately recognise the difference between natural wear on a cricket ball and damage caused by sandpaper.
“As a bowler, I’ll have a look at the ball and know straight away something is not right,” Akram said.
The legendary fast bowler explained that players regularly examine the condition of the ball throughout an innings, making it difficult to overlook unusual scratches.
He said marks caused by sandpaper were noticeably different from those resulting from a ball bouncing on a dry surface.
Akram, however, stressed that he was not taking sides in the controversy and described Cummins as a close friend and one of cricket’s leading captains.
He also acknowledged the possibility that Australian players might not have known about the plan, saying his assessment was based on his personal experience as a fast bowler.
Akram expressed concern that the renewed allegations had once again placed Australian cricket’s reputation under scrutiny, eight years after the original scandal.
The controversy resurfaced after Khawaja claimed in his autobiography, Sabr, that knowledge of the 2018 ball-tampering scheme was widespread within the Australian dressing room.
Cummins rejected the allegations at a press conference in Sydney, insisting that he had no knowledge of sandpaper being taken onto the field.
He described claims that he and other players helped devise the plan as “complete and utter nonsense.”
Former Australian vice-captain David Warner has since publicly supported Khawaja, adding to the disagreement among Australian players.
The original Sandpapergate scandal erupted during Australia’s third Test against South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018, when Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball.
Cricket Australia subsequently banned then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain Warner for 12 months each, while Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.
Australia’s bowling group, including Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, has consistently denied knowing about the use of sandpaper.
Despite the renewed controversy, Cricket Australia has ruled out reopening its investigation into the 2018 incident. (Newswire)