Pat Cummins Dismisses Usman Khawajas Claims on Sandpaper Scandal as Complete Nonsense

New Delhi, November 13 (Daily Kiran) : Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins has strongly rejected claims made by Usman Khawaja regarding the infamous sandpaper scandal. Speaking at a press conference in Sydney, Cummins labeled Khawaja’s assertions as “complete nonsense.” Khawaja had revealed in his book, “Sabr,” that the entire Australian team was aware of the ball-tampering incident during the 2018 Test series against South Africa.

During the 68-minute press conference, Cummins vehemently denied Khawaja’s allegations that the team was complicit in using illicit methods to alter the ball. He stated, “If he means that we all knew sandpaper was being taken onto the field, he is 100 percent wrong. For the past eight years, I have consistently said I had no knowledge of this. I believe what Usman has said is far more serious.”

Cummins expressed shock at Khawaja’s claim that he and others were the masterminds behind the ball-tampering scheme. He remarked, “It’s complete nonsense. I was taken aback this week when I learned that Usman himself admitted he told Bancroft to be careful while using sandpaper. This is not the Usman I know. He is not the person I think of, nor the one who has been part of the team that has helped reshape Australian cricket culture over the past eight years.”

The Australian captain emphasized that Khawaja’s book undermines the lives and reputations of him and many others. “I fully support his right to tell his story, but we must also be accountable for what we say and do. There was no master plan for using illicit methods. That’s why I want to speak openly about this, as context and details matter. There was no grand plan, no team meetings, and no bowler was instructed to do anything of the sort. Things just naturally reached that point.”

Cummins also expressed disbelief at Khawaja’s assertion that sandpaper was used on the ball during a session before the Port Elizabeth Test, prior to the infamous Cape Town match. He stated, “I learned about this just this week. I had no idea. Talking to some teammates revealed this was new information for me. It genuinely surprised me because that doesn’t happen anymore. Umpires give you the ball in the middle of the field, so I don’t recall anything like that. I remember as a child seeing umpires drop the ball, but I really don’t recall that happening. I don’t know when it stopped. So, this was new information for me this week.”