LAHORE / RAWALPINDI — Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram has questioned Australia captain Pat Cummins’ claim that he was unaware of the use of sandpaper during the 2018 ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, arguing that any experienced bowler would immediately recognise the difference between natural wear and deliberate damage to the ball. Speaking in a video posted on social media on Saturday from Melbourne, Wasim said the marks left by sandpaper were distinctly different from those caused by normal contact with the ground.
“As a bowler, I’ll have a look at the ball and know straight away something is not right,” Wasim said. “He said he didn’t know (about the use of sandpaper). As a bowler, when the cricket ball comes into my hand, whether it’s the fifth over, the tenth over or the fiftieth over, you look after the ball, you shine one side of the ball.
But the sandpaper scratch is totally different than the one-bounce scratch.” Wasim suggested that the difference could easily be identified through a simple comparison, saying anyone could take a semi-new ball, rub sandpaper against it and observe the resulting marks. The former Pakistan captain, widely regarded as one of the finest exponents of reverse swing, described Cummins as “a very close friend” and insisted he was not taking sides in the controversy, which has resurfaced following revelations by former Australia opener Usman Khawaja in his autobiography Sabr. Khawaja alleged that knowledge of the ball-tampering plan was widespread within the Australian dressing room, including among the bowling group, during the 2018 tour of South Africa.