Wasim Akram questions Pat Cummins' claim of knowing nothing about Sandpapergate

Wasim Akram has questioned Pat Cummins' claim that he knew nothing about Australia's 2018 Sandpapergate scandal, saying an experienced bowler would have immediately noticed if the ball had been tampered with.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has questioned how Pat Cummins could have been unaware of Australia's ball-tampering scandal during the infamous 2018 Cape Town Test, saying an experienced bowler would immediately notice if something was wrong with the ball.

The Sandpapergate controversy has resurfaced after Usman Khawaja claimed in his autobiography that the entire Australian team knew about the use of sandpaper during the Test against South Africa. His account has drawn contrasting reactions from former and current Australian players. David Warner has backed Khawaja, while Cummins and Mitchell Starc have rejected his claims.

Akram, one of the finest fast bowlers to have played the game, has now questioned Cummins' version of events. The former Pakistan captain explained that bowlers are closely involved in looking after the ball and can tell the difference between natural wear and scratches caused by sandpaper.

"I saw Pat Cummins, who's a very close friend of mine, a great cricketer, one of the top leaders in world cricket, the way he leads his team from the front, and he said he didn't know," Akram said in a video shared on X.

Akram pointed out that bowlers regularly work on one side of the ball to generate reverse swing, particularly in dry conditions. However, he said the marks left by sandpaper are different from those caused by the ball hitting the ground.

"It's my opinion, and it can be right or wrong, but as a bowler, when the cricket ball comes in my hand, either it's the fifth over, either it's in the 10th over, either it's in the 50th over - the old ball - where you look after the ball, you shine the one side if it's a dry day, a dry square, you one-bounce throw, you get it scratched a bit, but the sandpaper scratch is totally different than the one-bounce scratch," he said.

He even suggested that cricket fans could see the difference for themselves by rubbing sandpaper against a cricket ball.

"As a cricket lover, if you want to check, grab a semi-new cricket ball, grab sandpaper, and rub it in; you know the scratches are totally different," Akram added.

The former fast bowler was quick to clarify that he was not taking sides in the dispute. He also spoke about the pressure the renewed controversy had placed on Australian cricket.

"Again, as I said, I'm not taking anybody's side. Australians are known and famous for their straightforwardness, hardness on the field, off the field, and, most importantly, honesty," he said.

"The whole nation has been under stress. Eight years ago and back to it again. I hope things get sorted out. This is my take as a bowler. As an experienced bowler, when I look at the ball, I will know straightaway something is not right," he added.

WHAT HAPPENED IN 2018 CAPE TOWN TEST?

Australia's ball-tampering scandal erupted during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018. Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball, while David Warner and then captain Steve Smith were also found guilty of their roles in the incident.

Cricket Australia handed 12-month bans to Smith and Warner, while Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.

Australia's bowling group, comprising Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Cummins and Nathan Lyon, denied knowing that sandpaper had been used. In 2021, the four bowlers maintained that they had only learnt about the incident after seeing the television footage.