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Usman Khawaja's recent claims stirred up a storm in the cricket world. The Sandpapergate incident, which took place eight years ago in Cape Town and remained one of the most debated topics in cricket history, Khawaja turns the pages again ahead of the release of his autobiography.
The retired cricketer not only recalled the shameful incident of Australia cricket, but also added extra flair by adding some unheard claims. According to Usman Khawaja, not only Steve Smith, David Warner, or Cameron Bancroft, but the entire team was involved in the whole disgrace.
Sir Geoffrey Boycott questions Usman Khawaja
England cricket legend Sir Geoffrey Boycott raises a valid question in the wake of the fresh controversy. The former cricketer questions Usman Khawaja on how the entire team could fall in the whole episode.
Khawaja claimed that the entire team, including the head coach at the team that time, were also aware about the fact that they were going to do something with the ball. He even claimed that before tampering with the ball using the sandpaper, one of the three main accused, Cameron Bancroft, was involved in a long discussion with Darren Lehmann, then Australia's head coach. Lehmann, however, refused the claims made by Khawaja.
What is true and what is right is now hard to say, as multiple years have passed. With the fresh claims, nothing but a series of unnecessary things started following the cricketers and the others who were involved with the team in Cape Town.
Sir Geoffrey Boycott expresses his disbelief through an 'X' post
Raising his doubts, Geoffrey Boycott mentions in his 'X' post why someone from the team did not say that cheating was not right for the game.
"I would like to ask Khawaja to explain how the whole team got to the point of wanting to cheat without somebody or some player saying this is not right and refusing to be a part of it," the legendary cricketer wrote in his 'X' post on November 7, soon after Khawaja's comments.
@codecricketau I would like to ask Khawaja to explain how the whole team got to the point of wanting to cheat without somebody or some player saying this is not right and refusing to be a part of it.
— Sir Geoffrey Boycott (@GeoffreyBoycott) November 7, 2026
Massive claims against Cameron Bancroft
Usman Khawaja further mentioned that Cameron Bancroft volunteered the whole episode as he knew how to do it, as incidents like tampering a ball often took place in domestic cricket, according to the former Australian opener.
"We all knew that the umpire would drop the ball on the boundary as we went out onto the field. Straightaway, Bull [Warner] said, 'Well, I can't do it - they're all over me.' I was never going to do it, nor did I think anyone else would. So I just laughed. Then, Cameron Bancroft, who was only six games into his Test career and maybe wanting to fit in, said, "I'll do it," Khawaja wrote.
He further claimed that every team in Shield cricket and world cricket used to tamper the ball.
"Because all teams were messing around with the ball - in Shield cricket and world cricket too - for Bangers [Bancroft], it wasn't even that big a deal. Some of the boys asked, 'You sure?' Bangers replied, 'Yeah, no worries - it'll be easy, ' he added.
Read More: Cameron Bancroft refuses to look back as Usman Khawaja reignites Sandpapergate
