Usman Khawaja cancels book interviews after TV appearance goes horribly wrong

Résumé détaillé

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.

Under-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'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.

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