![David Warner breaks silence on Usman Khawaja's Sandpaper scandal claims [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794210300760_UsmanKhawajaDavidWarnerAustralia.jpg?type=hq)
David Warner breaks silence on Usman Khawaja's Sandpaper scandal claims [Source: AFP]
Former Australian cricketer David Warner, also the main accused in the infamous Sandpaper scandal, broke his silence on Usman Khawaja’s autobiography fiasco. He supported Khawaja by saying that the latter’s statements on the scandal were totally accurate.
For context, Khawaja published his autobiography called ‘Sabr ’, and he addressed the 2018 Sandpaper scandal in that book. He claimed that the entire Australian team knew about the incident, but only three people, Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, took the fall.
David Warner breaks silence on Usman Khawaja’s claims
This bombshell revelation certainly caused a storm in Australian cricket, with Usman Khawaja facing backlash. However, David Warner has come in support of his former colleague.
In an emotional video posted on Instagram, Warner said that Khawaja’s claims are accurate and applauded the latter for showing the courage to speak what he believes is the ‘truth.’
"It's been eight years since I've spoken about this topic, and Uzi, I throw my full support behind you. I thank you for what you've done. What you've said is 100% accurate. Now everyone knows the truth; it's out there. People wanted to know it, you've come out and said it, and now people are asking why you're talking about it eight years later and selling a book. This is Usman's story. This is what Usman believes. Uzi wrote down every single thing from that day onwards. Uzi, thank you," Warner said.
Warner also questioned the investigating agency, hinting that the interview process was rushed and botched. He suggested that the officials were more focused on pointing out scapegoats than finding out the root cause of the incident.
"Time passing doesn’t replace accountability, and asking questions shouldn’t be mistaken for holding grudges. Respect, honesty and accountability. That’s all anyone can ask for,” he added.
Lastly, David Warner demanded accountability from the people in charge of the whole scandal and clarified that neither he nor Usman Khawaja wants to point fingers at anyone. They’re using this time and platform to share their side of the story.
Usman Khawaja fulfils promise made to David Warner
Interestingly, on the release of his autobiography, Usman Khawaja revealed that he chose to make revelations about the Sandpaper scandal because of David Warner. Apparently, Khawaja made a promise to Warner, saying that he would spill the truth when the time was right.
But critics questioned the timing, saying Khawaja was using the scandal to sell his book. However, responding to that, the opener revealed that he had earlier made a couple of attempts to reveal the truth, but fear stopped him.
Usman Khawaja clarified that he just wants the entire Australian team on that tour of South Africa to take the blame for the entire Sandpaper scandal. David Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft shouldn’t be singled out, as he believes they were the real ‘victims.’
