Khawaja's autobiography revives debate over 2018 Australian ball-tampering scandal

Usman Khawaja's newly released autobiography, titled Sabr, revisits the 2018 ball-tampering controversy that led to the dismissal of several Australian players. In the book, Khawaja states he will use the collective pronoun "we" to describe Team Australia, while emphasizing that his account reflects his personal recollection. He told ABC that his aim is not a "witch hunt" but to encourage the team to take collective responsibility.

Khawaja's claims suggest that knowledge of the sandpaper scheme may have extended beyond the three players originally sanctioned—Cameron Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner. He also implies that a member of the coaching staff may have encouraged the tampering, referencing undisclosed "Cape Town files" that have not been made public. Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg responded that there is "no compelling reason" to reopen the investigation.

Former players and staff have offered mixed reactions. Darren Lehmann and Mitchell Starc have maintained their earlier positions of denial, while seamer Chadd Sayers expressed support for Khawaja's call for accountability. The book does not name additional individuals, and Khawaja says his motivation stems partly from loyalty to Warner, who has also refrained from naming others.

The controversy continues to affect the reputations of current and former Australian cricketers, including the present fast-bowling quartet of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, who maintain they were unaware of any foreign substance on the ball. Former captain Michael Clarke warned that ongoing inaction could erode public trust in the sport.