Wasim Akram ‘politely’ suggests Australian bowlers knew about sandpaper tampering

Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has weighed in on the renewed controversy surrounding Australia’s 2018 ball-tampering scandal, saying an experienced bowler would immediately notice if a cricket ball had been altered using sandpaper.

In a video posted on his social media account, Akram said he believed the Australian bowlers could have noticed the difference between normal ball wear and scratches caused by sandpaper.

“As a bowler, when the cricket ball comes into my hand, whether it’s the fifth over, the 10th over or the 50th over, I look after the ball and shine one side,” he said.

He explained that bowlers sometimes use the pitch to create minor scratches on the ball, particularly in dry conditions, but said the marks left by sandpaper were different.

“The sandpaper scratch is totally different from the one-bounce scratch,” he said, suggesting that anyone familiar with cricket could distinguish between the two.

Akram clarified that he was not taking sides in the dispute and that his comments reflected his personal opinion. He also praised Australians for their reputation for honesty and said he hoped the controversy would be resolved.

“I’ll have a look at the ball and I’ll know straight away something is not right,” he said, referring to the perspective of an experienced bowler.

Reacting to Akram’s remarks, English broadcaster and journalist Piers Morgan said in a post on X that the former Pakistan captain was effectively suggesting Australian bowlers knew the ball had been tampered with.

“This is Wasim’s very polite way of saying the Aussie bowlers all knew the ball had been sandpapered. They should stop lying and tell the truth,” Morgan wrote.

Read More: Warner accuses Cricket Australia of ‘cover-up’ over ‘Sandpapergate’

Sandpapergate controversy resurfaces

The controversy dates back to Australia’s Test against South Africa in Cape Town in March 2018, when television cameras caught Australian batter Cameron Bancroft using sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball.

Following an investigation, Cricket Australia (CA) banned then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner for one year, while Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.

The scandal has resurfaced following claims in former Australian opener Usman Khawaja’s 2026 autobiography, in which he disputed the finding that only three players had prior knowledge of the ball-tampering plan.

Khawaja said discussions about ball-tampering, including the use of sandpaper, were widespread within the team, adding: “It was all of us.” He also expressed regret that Smith, Warner and Bancroft had taken responsibility for the entire team.

Warner backed Khawaja’s account, describing his comments as “100 percent accurate” and criticising Cricket Australia’s 2018 investigation as rushed and flawed.

However, Australia captain Pat Cummins rejected the allegations, describing claims that he and other players were involved in a planned ball-tampering scheme as “complete and utter nonsense”. He also denied that there had been a team meeting or a broader plan.

Former Australian fast bowler Chadd Sayers, meanwhile, supported Khawaja’s account, saying he believed the entire team, including the bowlers, knew what was happening.

Sayers also alleged that sandpaper had been used during the second Test at Port Elizabeth and claimed he was the player who removed it from the field.

Cricket Australia has ruled out reopening its 2018 investigation, saying it remains satisfied with its findings and sees no compelling reason to revisit the case.