Usman Khawaja cancels book interviews after TV appearance goes horribly wrong

Usman Khawaja has cancelled media interviews to promote his new book, Sabr, after facing uncomfortable questions on ABC's 7.30 programme. The former Australia batter repeatedly dodged questions about claims that he himself made in his new book.Usman Khawaja's first TV interview over new book went horribly wrong. (AFP Photo)New Delhi,Nov 11, 2026 08:00 ISTUnder-fire Usman Khawaja has pulled out of TV and book interviews after his chat with broadcaster Sarah Ferguson went horribly wrong on Tuesday, November 10.Khawaja, who was on the show to promote his new book, Sabr, was grilled by the ABC broadcaster on the 7.30 programme about his claims surrounding the Sandpapergate controversy. Khawaja ducked the majority of the questions, which were related to his now-viral revelations about Australia's tour of South Africa in 2018.Khawaja's meek interview copped widespread criticism online, with many hitting out at the former Australian batter for failing to speak up during the television appearance.After the interview, Australian media reports suggest that Khawaja has not only declined to do further TV interviews but has also cancelled several book-related interviews. ABC Sport reported that Penguin, Khawaja's publisher, confirmed there would be adjustments to his book tour and interview commitments, although it did not clarify exactly which appearances had been affected."The book tour is 100 (per cent) still going ahead, we've just had to make some adjustments this week but no major cancellation of the tour at all," the publisher said in a statement.KHAWAJA DUCKS THE WARNER QUESTION Khawaja's appearance on the ABC's 7.30 programme was supposed to be an opportunity to promote his book and explain his account of the infamous 2018 South Africa tour. Instead, it turned into an uncomfortable exchange as Ferguson repeatedly pressed him on some of the most controversial claims in Sabr.At the centre of the controversy is Khawaja's suggestion that the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town was not limited to the three players who were eventually punished. He has argued that more members of the Australian team knew about the use of sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball, including during the preceding Test in Port Elizabeth.Khawaja has stopped short of naming individuals, insisting that he is simply sharing what he witnessed and experienced. However, his account has raised questions about the involvement and knowledge of several former teammates.Ferguson began by bringing up David Warner's public support for Khawaja's version of events. The former Australia opener had also suggested that lies would eventually come out, prompting the broadcaster to ask Khawaja what lies he was referring to."I'm not going to speak on behalf of Davey. I've tried my best to tell my story in an open and safe environment. There's no easy way to do it, but I mean, I'm not here to inflame the situation any more," Khawaja responded.He maintained that he was only trying to share his version of events and stand by Warner, Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, the three players who were punished following the scandal.KHAWAJA ON THE BACKFOOTFerguson then turned to a joint statement issued by Australia's four frontline bowlers, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, in 2021. The quartet had denied knowing that sandpaper was being taken onto the field during the Cape Town Test.Khawaja, who has written in his book that he was unhappy with the bowlers' statement, was asked whether their account was incorrect.He refused to give a direct answer, instead reiterating that he had already shared what he knew about the preceding Test in Port Elizabeth."I'll say again, I've given my statement about what happened the game before. I was very open and honest to what I saw and what conversations I had," he said.Khawaja also admitted that he had deliberately been vague about certain aspects of his account."Sometimes I'm very specific on things and sometimes I'm a bit vague on things and I do it on purpose because I'm trying to tell a story," he said.Ferguson pressed further, asking whether the four bowlers had been involved in conversations about ball tampering."I'm just not going I'm not going to entertain that," Khawaja replied.KHAWAJA DODGES DIRECT QUESTION ON CUMMINSThe most uncomfortable exchange came when Ferguson directly asked whether Cummins, Australia's current Test captain, had prior knowledge of sandpaper being used to alter the ball."I'm not going to answer that," Khawaja said.He added that he had written what he wanted to in his book and had already shared his account of the events. Khawaja also referred to former teammate Chadd Sayers, who had recently backed some of his claims.However, Ferguson pointed out the contradiction in Khawaja's position. While he insisted he was not pointing fingers, his account suggested that responsibility for the scandal extended beyond the three players who were punished.She also asked whether the wider Australian playing group and coaching staff had prior knowledge of the use of sandpaper.Khawaja again avoided a direct answer, saying he had told his story and hoped others would come forward and speak honestly."I mean, I've written in my account from what I've seen. People want to know the answers and lots of different answers. And I've left it open-ended to some respects because I've told my story and I've told my truth and I'll speak for myself," he said."I'm hoping other people will come up and talk about it honestly. That's what I'm hoping. But I'm not forcing anyone to do anything."NOT CONDUCTING A WITCH-HUNT: KHAWAJAThroughout the interview, Khawaja maintained that he was not conducting a witch-hunt against his former teammates and was not calling for Cricket Australia to reopen its investigation into the scandal.He also stood by his view that the bans handed to Smith, Warner and Bancroft were excessive. Smith and Warner received 12-month suspensions, while Bancroft was banned for nine months."I'm not calling for anything. I'm literally sharing my version of the truth," Khawaja said.Cricket Australia, meanwhile, maintained that it remained comfortable with the findings of its original investigation, while acknowledging that there were differing recollections of some events."The three players who received bans after the Cape Town Test acknowledged their breaches and accepted the penalties imposed," a CA spokesperson said."We have acknowledged that the investigation was conducted in a short timeframe given the impending Test match and that there are varying opinions about some matters including the length of the sanctions imposed. We respect that players have different recollections of events from this time."But we remain comfortable the investigation's findings accurately reflect the statements and evidence provided at the time."Ferguson also questioned Khawaja about his suggestion that racial prejudice may have played a role in him not being considered for Australia's interim captaincy in Smith's absence in 2018.Khawaja admitted that he had no concrete evidence to support the claim, explaining that it was based on how he felt at the time.The broadcaster also asked about his relationship with Cummins, given the Australian captain's reputation has been caught up in the controversy."I'm not sure," Khawaja replied. "But I've been friends with Pat a long time. I've told my truth and I've given my reasons at the end of the day. I think some things I've always stood for - my values and what I think is right. Yeah, there's no ideal way of doing this, but I can't speak for Pat."- Ends