Warner called ’s investigation into the matter “botched” and asked for accountability and transparency. He added that the interview process was rushed and that Khawaja was not interviewed despite sitting next to Cameron Bancroft.

For the unversed, Bancroft was caught on camera with sandpaper on the field during the Newlands Test of 2017/18. He was banned for nine months from all cricket while David Warner and were handed one-year bans. Smith and Warner were also banned from assuming leadership positions in Australian cricket for life, though these were overturned.

“It's been eight years since I've spoken on this topic and Uzzy, I throw my full support behind you,” Warner, who is currently in Nepal and playing in the Nepal Premier League, said in an Instagram video. “I thank you for what you’ve done. It’s 100 per cent accurate what you’ve said. Now everyone knows the truth, it’s out there.

“People wanted to know it, you’ve come out and said it, and now people are saying why eight years on, talking about selling a book. This is Usman’s story, this is what Usman believes. Uzzy wrote down every single thing from that day on. Uzzy, thank you.”

“Now, this whole interview process was rushed and botched. Uzzy was sitting next to Cameron Bancroft. Uzzy was not interviewed. How is that a thorough investigation? It baffles me.”

Warner also defended , who has been criticised for his explosive revelation, eight years after the incident and ahead of the publication of his autobiography, Sabr. He believed that questions should be asked of the people who conducted the investigation.

“We're not here to point fingers and we're not opening our wounds,” Warner added. “It's about accountability, transparency, ensuring that the truth is properly examined and perhaps it's time people stop scrutinising the person, asking for accountability and start asking those responsible for the investigation to provide it.

“Now, there was a lot of statements and inaccuracies over the last eight years that were out in the media by people and there was a lot of people who stayed silent."

On the contrary, soon after Khawaja’s revelations on Saturday, November 7, CA issued a statement saying that it was comfortable with its findings in the investigation. “There has been a great deal of speculation in the eight years since the 2018 Cape Town Test, including extensive media coverage throughout last month's series in South Africa.

“During this time there has been the ongoing opportunity to present any relevant information, and this remains the case. All relevant information presented to CA to date has been properly considered and we remain comfortable with the findings of our integrity process,” the statement said.

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