Wasim Akram has shared his perspective regarding the Australian team’s involvement in the ‘sandpaper scandal’ and the statement issued by captain Pat Cummins.
Former Pakistani fast bowler Wasim Akram stated that bowlers are always aware of whether or not the ball has been tampered with. Pat Cummins had claimed that he was not involved and was unaware of the use of sandpaper.
Wasim Akram mentioned that he has been hearing about this controversy for the past week. “My friend Pat Cummins said he didn’t know about it; perhaps the team wasn’t aware of what was happening at the time. This is just my opinion—it could be right, or it could be wrong.”
He explained that as a bowler, one takes great care of the ball. While the ball naturally develops scratches from friction and bouncing, the marks caused by sandpaper are entirely different from those resulting from normal play.
Wasim Akram added that an experienced bowler can immediately tell when something is amiss the moment the ball is held in their hand. He expressed hope that the matter would be resolved.
It should be noted that in March 2018, during a Test match between Australia and South Africa in Cape Town, Australian player Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera attempting to alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper. Mitchell Marsh refuses to discuss the ball-tampering scandal.
Following the incident, Cricket Australia imposed a one-year ban on the then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, while Cameron Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.
Recently, Usman Khawaja has argued in his book that other players should also accept collective responsibility in this matter.
Former Australian cricketer David Warner has also supported Usman Khawaja’s claims, describing them as 100 percent accurate.
Also Read: Usman Khawaja Opens Pandora’s Box Over Lord’s Test Controversy
