Khawaja says he never shifted blame, despite his autobiography hinting the entire 2018 Australia side knew about the tampering plan.
The former opener revealed he made a promise to childhood friend David Warner – one of the three players banned after the scandal – to tell the full story.
During the Cape Town Test eight years ago, Bancroft was filmed attempting to roughen one side of the ball with sandpaper to generate swing.
The bowling quartet – Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood – issued a 2021 statement denying any knowledge, while Cricket Australia maintains only Smith, Warner and Bancroft were involved.
He posted on Instagram, “I haven’t thrown anyone under the bus.”
He added that neither the current squad nor the 2018 touring group, himself included, were victims.
[Bancroft, Warner and Smith] took the blame for everyone, becoming the scapegoats amid public heckling and humiliation.
Khawaja said his promise to Warner was to reveal the truth, and he remains unapologetic; those three deserve justice and he has not accused anyone else.
He continues to search for the collective accountability the team needs to finally move beyond the episode.
He claims he would repeat his actions in a heartbeat.
Khawaja: Smith talked me out of coming clean
Khawaja recalled trying to come clean in 2018 but was talked out of it by Smith, and again in 2021 after Bancroft hinted the bowlers likely knew the scheme. For my money, honesty should trump loyalty.
He said, “Smith, as the leader, stopped me; he wanted to shoulder the blame. I argued, but he wouldn’t listen. That was my first attempt to speak out.”
When the bowling unit later released their statement, Khawaja explained he avoided a clash, feeling uncomfortable at the time – that’s the truth.
He wondered how to raise the issue when teammates refused discussion, aware his words could sway the group.
Always putting the side first, he now says his comments no longer represent the team; he speaks solely for himself.
Bancroft keen to ‘move on’ from ball‑tampering saga – will his focus help Australia rebuild?
Khawaja also claimed Bancroft had offered to use sandpaper before the infamous Cape Town Test, which actually took place in Port Elizabeth, now called Gqeberha.
Bancroft, who has appeared only twice for Australia since the scandal – both in the 2019 Ashes – and recently said a Test comeback is unlikely, is eager to move on, according to his state coach Beau Casson.
After Bancroft made 32 for WA against England in Perth, Casson noted, “The incident belongs to the past. He wants to move on and let his bat speak.”
“You can’t control everything,” Casson added, praising how Bancroft has handled the situation over recent weeks and years.
He said Bancroft sets a clear example of professionalism.