![Wasim Akram opines on Sandpaper-gate controversy [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1794644934135_WasimAkramPatCummins.jpg?type=hq)
Wasim Akram opines on Sandpaper-gate controversy [Source: AFP]
Amid the Usman Khawaja-Sandpaper Gate re-ignition controversy, Pakistan veteran and former fast bowler, also known as the Swing King of Pakistan, Wasim Akram, has now given his opinion on the matter. The Pakistan veteran reacted to the ongoing Sandpaper Gate row after Pat Cummins' interview regarding the controversy.
Speaking on Saturday, Wasim Akram shared that bowlers would immediately know when a foreign substance is used on the ball and that “sandpaper scratches” are completely different and easily recognisable.
Wasim Akram shares his take on Pat Cummins’ view
For the unaware, Pat Cummins held a 68-minute-long press conference after Usman Khawaja's alleged claims regarding the Sandpaper gate fiasco during the South Africa Tests, in which the Australian captain denied all the claims made by Khawaja, saying that he did not know about any plan hatched to tamper with the ball using sandpaper.
Now, Wasim Akram, who described Cummins as a ‘close friend’, gave a very diplomatic answer while neither defending nor attacking Pat Cummins' point of view.
“I saw Pat Cummins, who’s a very close friend of mine, a great cricketer, one of the top leaders in world cricket, the way he leads his team from the front, and he said he didn’t know,” Akram said in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter).
“It’s my opinion, and it can be right or wrong, but as a bowler, when the cricket ball comes in my hand, either it’s the fifth over, either it’s in the 10th over, either it’s in the 50th over – the old ball – where you look after the ball, you shine the one side if it’s a dry day, a dry square, you one-bounce throw, you get it scratched a bit, but the sandpaper scratch is totally different than the one-bounce scratch," he added.
Wasim Akram opens up on the whole sandpapergate fiasco
Without taking any sides, Wasim Akram added that sandpaper scratches are easy to identify and also subtly hinted that Australians are known for their straightforwardness and toughness on the field.
Nevertheless, Akram also wished that the controversy would die down soon and everything would get back to normal.
“As a cricket lover, if you want to check, grab a semi-new cricket ball, grab sandpaper, and rub it in; you know the scratches are totally different. Again, as I said, I’m not taking anybody’s side. Australians are known and famous for their straightforwardness, hardness on the field, off the field, and, most importantly, honesty," said Akram.
“The whole nation has been under stress. Eight years ago and back to it again. I hope things get sorted out. This is my take as a bowler. As an experienced bowler, when I look at the ball, I will know straightaway something is not right,” added Akram.
The Sandpaper Gate controversy gathered attention earlier this year after Khawaja released his autobiography, Sabr, in which he claimed that the entire team knew about the plan.
Now, the claim has been denied by both Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, while David Warner has come out in support of the former Australian opener.
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