![Usman Khawaja Breaks Silence [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794111622271_UsmanKhawajaforAustralia.jpg?type=hq)
Usman Khawaja Breaks Silence [Source: AFP]
Former Australia batter Usman Khawaja has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding his upcoming autobiography, Sabr, after his revelations about the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal triggered widespread criticism.
His claim that the ball-tampering episode involved collective responsibility has drawn reactions from several quarters, with some accusing him of implicating his former teammates.
In a two-part video shared on Instagram, Khawaja defended his account and insisted that his intention was never to single out individuals.
Khawaja clarifies his comments on Australia's Sandpapergate scandal
Addressing the media coverage, Khawaja argued that his remarks about collective involvement had been taken out of context. He explained that he was referring to the team's shared responsibility rather than speaking on behalf of every player. However, he stopped short of denying that others knew about the discussions surrounding the ball's condition.
"If you read my article, you would have seen that when I mentioned it was all of us, I was implying that, whether we like it or not, we're all responsible for what happened together. As a team, we need to take that collectively. That is all," Usman Khawaja said.
The former batter also revealed that he had attempted to make Australia's collective involvement public shortly after the Cape Town Test in 2018.
He claimed to have documented the events just days after the incident and later approached then-captain Steve Smith after the players received their punishments. However, Smith reportedly persuaded him not to go ahead, choosing to take responsibility himself.
Khawaja reveals two attempts to come clean
Khawaja disclosed that he made another effort to address the controversy in 2021, when the incident resurfaced. He spent hours speaking with former Australian coach Justin Langer, urging him to acknowledge the team's shared responsibility.
He also explained why he did not speak out during the following four years of his international career. According to Khawaja, he feared becoming the first player to raise the issue while still part of the dressing room and did not want his actions to affect the team.
He cited his 2023 comments on Palestine, when captain Pat Cummins encouraged him to continue speaking after Khawaja offered to withdraw his remarks if they affected the team.
Smith, Warner and Bancroft were the real victims, says Khawaja
Khawaja rejected suggestions that he had timed his autobiography revelations to generate publicity or increase book sales. He said he deliberately waited until Australia's recent tour of South Africa had ended and contacted Cummins beforehand to ensure the book would not distract the team.
He reserved his strongest defence for Smith, Warner and Bancroft, arguing that the three players endured years of public humiliation while others involved in the episode were able to move on.
"These three guys took the blame for all of us. They're the victims," Khawaja said, adding that the trio had faced abuse and scrutiny for eight years.
He also revealed that Bancroft had spoken to him about how difficult the recent period had been, while Warner continued to deal with the impact on his family. Khawaja further disclosed that he had promised his childhood friend David Warner that he would tell the truth and give him an opportunity to share his side of the story.
"I'm still searching for what I was searching for all those years ago: for us, me included, to take the blame together as a team, so we can all move on from this once and for all," he concluded.
He maintained that he had no regrets about speaking out, insisting that his objective remained collective accountability rather than shifting blame.
