Wasim Akram Speaks Out on Australia's Latest Ball-Tampering Row

The ball-tampering scandal that rocked Australian cricket during the 2018 Cape Town Test has come back into focus, with former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram now sharing his thoughts on the matter.

The latest discussion began after Usman Khawaja made fresh claims last Saturday, saying the whole Australian team knew about the plan to alter the condition of the ball.

"It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us," said Usman Khawaja in an interview to Australian media.

Former Pakistan captain and legendary pacer Wasim Akram has now shared his views on the matter. He says it is not possible for the bowlers not to know about the changing condition of the ball, especially if it was scratched with sandpaper.

"For the last couple of weeks, I've been hearing this controversy. Usman Khawaja wrote a book called Sabr, where he said what happened eight years ago," said Wasim Akram.

"You know, South Africa, I believe, with the sandpaper thing, the issue. And I saw Pat Cummins, who's a very close friend of mine, great cricketer, one of the top leaders in world cricket, the way he leads the team from the front. And he said he didn't know.” added Wasim Akram.

"So probably the team didn't know at the time what was happening, in my opinion. It's my opinion. It can be right or wrong." added Wasim Akram.

Akram also pointed out that there is a clear difference between normal ball maintenance and using sandpaper, as both leave different marks on the ball.

"But as a bowler, when the cricket ball comes in my hand, either it's the fifth over, either it's in 10th over, or either it's in 50th over the old ball, where you look after the ball, you shine the one side, if it's a dry day, dry square, you one bounce throw, you get scratch a bit," said Wasim Akram.

"But the sandpaper scratch is totally different from the one-bounce scratch. And as a cricket lover, if you want to check, grab a semi-new cricket ball, grab a sandpaper, and rub it in, you know, the scratches are totally different," added Wasim Akram.

Akram further added that he was not supporting either side in the debate, but implied that the truth must come out, as Australian cricket had always been known for its honesty.

"So again, like I said, I'm not taking anybody's sides. And Australians known and famous for their, you know, straightforwardness, hardness on the field, off the field, and most importantly, honesty," said Wasim Akram.

"And I think that's what the whole nation has been, you know, under stress a bit, obviously, eight years ago and back to it again." added Wasim Akram.