Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has reignited the 2018 Sandpaper Gate controversy with explosive revelations in his new autobiography, ‘Sabr’ (Patience). Khawaja claims that the entire Australian squad was aware of the ball-tampering plot and should have taken collective responsibility, rather than allowing only three players—Steve Smith, David Warner, and Cameron Bancroft—to bear the sole punishment.
Khawaja alleges that using sandpaper to alter the ball’s condition was actively discussed as early as the second Test in Port Elizabeth, noting that tampering was occurring even prior to the infamous third Test in Cape Town. He further claims that then-captain Steve Smith deliberately chose to remain oblivious to the specific details of the operation.
The revelations directly contradict the long-held stance of Australia’s frontline bowling attack—comprising Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon—who have consistently maintained they were unaware of the sandpaper’s use. Notably, Khawaja was not asked to provide a statement during Cricket Australia’s initial investigation. In response to the new claims, Cricket Australia stated that all relevant information provided over the past eight years has been appropriately reviewed, adding that they remain satisfied with the findings of their original integrity investigation.
