Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja’s book Sabr is hogging the limelight after all the revelations. The biggest disclosure is that the entire Australian side knew about the use of sandpaper during the 2018 Cape Town Test.
Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram waded into the topic and spoke about the controversy. The 60-year-old said that there is a massive difference between a sandpaper scratch and a one-bounce throw scratch that appears on the ball.
🐐 Wasim Akram On Sandpaper Gate.
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“I am in Melbourne currently, and my family is based here. I am based out of Pakistan, and I keep shuttling between the two countries. Australia is very close to my heart, so is this beautiful city, Melbourne. The last couple of weeks have been about controversy. Usman Khawaja wrote a book called Sabr, where he said what happened eight years ago in South Africa,” Akram said.
“I saw Pat Cummins, a close friend of mine, as well as a great cricketer and one of the top leaders in world cricket, who leads the team from the front. Cummins said that he didn’t know. So, probably the team didn’t know at that time what was happening, and that’s my opinion. It could be right or wrong. But as a bowler, when the cricket ball comes in my hand, whether it is the 5th over, 10th or 50th over, the old ball, you look after the ball and shine it. If it is a dry day or dry square, and you throw it on one bounce, and you see the ball get scratched a bit.”
Pakistan legend explains the different types of scratches on a ball
Wasim Akram explained the difference and went on to add, “But, Sandpaper scratch is totally different to the scratch that comes when the ball is thrown on one bounce. As a cricket lover, if you want to check, grab a semi-new ball and grab a sandpaper and rub it in, and you will know the scratches are totally different. As I said before, I’mnot taking anyone’s side. Australians are known for being straightforward and having a hard attitude on and off the field, and most importantly, honesty. That’s where the whole country has been under stress, and for obvious reasons, things that happened eight years ago are back in the open again. I am hoping things get sorted, and that’s my take. As an experienced bowler, Iwill take a look at the ball and know something is not right.”
FAQs
When and where did the sandpaper saga take place?
The sandpaper saga took place in 2018 during the Cape Town Test between South Africa and Australia.
What punishments were imposed on the guilty parties?
Cameron Bancroft was handed a nine month ban, where Steve Smith and David Warner were banned for a year.
What is Usman Khawaja’s book called?
Usman Khawaja’s book is named Sabr.