Usman Khawaja reveals why he waited eight years to make bombshell Sandpapergate claims that rocked Aussie cricket: ‘He talked me out of it’

Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has explained why he waited eight years to reveal allegations regarding the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal. In an Instagram video, Khawaja stated he intended to speak publicly shortly after the incident in South Africa, but teammate Steve Smith talked him out of it because Smith wanted to take the blame.

Khawaja's upcoming memoir Sabr alleges that sandpaper was used prior to the Cape Town Test and that the entire team bore collective responsibility. He noted that he also tried to push for team accountability in 2021 before bowler statements denied knowledge, adding that he delayed publication until after leaving the national side.