Table of Contents
Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja has reportedly spoken to Pat Cummins ahead of the release of his autobiography, with the book expected to revisit some of the most controversial moments of Australian cricket. Khawaja is understood to have discussed the contents with Cummins and Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg before the memoir reaches readers in November.
The timing has added further interest to the book, with Australia preparing for its first Test tour of South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Khawaja was part of the Australian team during that period and has previously argued that the fallout from the Cape Town incident should not have been carried solely by the three players who were punished.
Usman Khawaja’s new autobiography 'Sabr' to be launched in November 2026
Khawaja's autobiography is titled Sabr: Finding My Way in Cricket and Life and is scheduled for publication on November 3, 2026. The 448-page book is being published by Penguin Books Australia, with hardback, ebook and audiobook editions listed for release on the same date.
The title refers to the Arabic concept of patience and perseverance, which Khawaja has identified as an important part of his journey. The memoir covers his childhood in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Australia, his experience of trying to establish himself in Australian cricket and his eventual emergence as the country's first Muslim Test cricketer.
Usman Khawaja has written the autobiography himself rather than using a ghostwriter. His story also includes the repeated setbacks he faced during his international career, followed by his return to the Test team in 2022 and the prolific period that culminated in him being named ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2023.
Usman Khawaja meets Pat Cummins over Sandpapergate details in his new book
According to a report by CODE Sports, Usman Khawaja initiated a private meeting with Pat Cummins in Brisbane and spoke to the Australian captain over coffee about the themes covered in the upcoming memoir. He also contacted Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg to give the organisation advance notice of the book's contents.
The meeting comes as attention returns to the 2018 scandal because Australia is preparing to play a Test series in South Africa. Usman Khawaja's book is expected to revisit the circumstances surrounding Cameron Bancroft's use of sandpaper during the third Test in Cape Town and the subsequent Cricket Australia investigation.
Also, it has not been established that Khawaja has accused any additional players or staff of knowing about the plan beforehand. Australia's bowlers from that Test, Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, have previously maintained that they only became aware of the incident after seeing the footage on the stadium's big screen.
The subject has remained sensitive because Khawaja was close to David Warner and was among those who pushed for greater collective responsibility after the scandal. Warner's representatives have also previously suggested that knowledge of the plan went beyond the three players who were suspended, although that claim has never established wider involvement by other members of the team.
Controversial topics covered in the book beyond Sandpapergate
Sandpapergate is not expected to be the only sensitive subject in Usman Khawaja's book. His account of the confrontation in the Lord's Long Room during the 2023 Ashes is also likely to attract attention, particularly given his involvement in the incident following Jonny Bairstow's controversial dismissal.
Khawaja was also part of the Australian setup during the period surrounding Justin Langer's departure as head coach. His book is expected to provide his perspective on that episode and the atmosphere within the team at the time.
The autobiography also examines Khawaja's experiences with identity, race and representation in Australian cricket. His advocacy for Palestinians and the disputes surrounding his attempts to display messages supporting Palestinian civilians are expected to form another important part of the book.
Also Read: Matthew Hayden, Ian Healy fire back at Travis Head's scathing criticism of 'past players'
