Former Pakistan captain and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has questioned Australian captain Pat Cummins’ recent remarks about the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering scandal, saying experienced bowlers can recognise when a cricket ball has been deliberately altered.
Cummins recently rejected former Australian batter Usman Khawaja’s claim that the entire Australian team, including Cummins, knew about the plan to tamper with the ball during the Test against South Africa in March 2018.
Wasim Akram Says Experienced Bowlers Can Tell the Difference
Reacting to the controversy, Akram said bowlers develop an understanding of a ball’s condition through years of experience.
He explained that normal scratches develop when one side of the ball is repeatedly rubbed and through contact with the pitch. However, he said scratches caused by sandpaper are noticeably different from those resulting from regular use.
Akram added that an experienced bowler could identify irregularities when handling the ball.
He acknowledged that Cummins was a friend and might genuinely have been unaware of the incident, adding that this was his personal assessment and could be either right or wrong.
Background of the 2018 Ball-Tampering Scandal
The controversy dates back to March 2018, when Australian batter Cameron Bancroft was caught on camera attempting to alter the condition of the ball using sandpaper during a Test match against South Africa in Cape Town.
Following an investigation, Cricket Australia imposed one-year suspensions on then-captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, while Bancroft received a nine-month suspension.
Usman Khawaja’s Claims Reignite Controversy
The issue resurfaced after former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja alleged in his recently published autobiography that every member of the Australian team knew about the ball-tampering plan.
Khawaja also claimed that his racial background and skin colour affected his chances of becoming Australia’s national team captain.
Cummins rejected Khawaja’s allegations, while former Australian opener David Warner publicly supported Khawaja’s claims, describing them as completely accurate.
Akram expressed hope that the renewed controversy would eventually be resolved.