Haris Rauf failed to save 15 runs in 6 balls as the match vs USA went into the Super Over. In the T20 World Cup 2024 Group A match between the United States and Pakistan on June 6 in Dallas, an incident occurred that caught significant attention. Rusty Theron, a fast bowler for the USA, tweeted to the ICC, alleging that Pakistan’s Haris Rauf attempted to tamper with the ball using his thumb’s nail.
While there is no proof for alleged Haris Rauf ball-tampering episode, and Team USA has filed no official complaint, looks like these comments by Rusty Theron might just ignite a new fire in the already controversial T20 World Cup in the USA and the West Indies.
USA Historic Win Against PAK
Talking about the match, the United States achieved a remarkable victory over Pakistan in a Super Over finish.
Both teams were tied at 159 runs at the end of their respective 20 overs, leading to the decisive Super Over. Batting first after being invited by the USA, Pakistan managed to score 159 for 7 in their 20 overs. Captain Babar Azam anchored the innings with 44 runs off 43 balls. Pakistan faced early trouble at 26 for 3 in 4.4 overs, but a 72-run partnership between Pakistani captain and Shadab Khan helped stabilize their innings.
In the Super Over, the USA set a target of 19 runs, and Pakistan could only manage 13 in reply. The match between the USA and Pakistan was a nail-biting encounter as the result of the match was attained by a super-over. But after the match, a tweet from USA fast bowler Rusty Theron went viral in no time in which he blamed Haris Rauf and the Pakistan team for tampering with the ball.
USA’s Rusty Theron accuses Haris Rauf of ball tampering during PAK vs USA in T20WC
USA fast bowler Rusty Theron sent out a tweet about Haris Rauf to the ICC during the T20 World Cup 2024 match between the United States and Pakistan. The right-arm pacer felt that Pakistan’s Haris Rauf tried to tamper the ball with his thumb’s nail. The American team battled against Pakistan in a Group A match of the T20 World Cup earlier today (June 6) in Dallas. Pakistan set a 160-run target for the home side, and in response, Monank Patel’s half-century placed them in a comfortable position.
Pakistan bounced back in the second half of the USA’s innings. However, Rusty Theron opined that the Men in Green especially Haris Rauf may have tampered with the ball to get an advantage in that situation. Here’s what Theron tweeted:
“@icc are we just going to pretend Pakistan aren’t scratching the hell out of this freshly changed ball? Reversing the ball that’s just been changed 2 overs ago? You can literally see Haris Rauf running his thumb nail over the ball at the top of his mark. @usacricket #PakvsUSA.”
Pakistan made a fine comeback in the slog overs to ensure that the USA did not touch the 160-run mark. The USA finished with 159/3 in 20 overs to reach the Super Over.
Haris Rauf could not win it for Pakistan in the 20th over of the innings
The match went down to the final over, with the USA needing 15 runs to win the game. A well-set Aaron Jones was in the middle with Nitish Kumar, who was struggling to time the ball well.
Haris Rauf had the responsibility to bowl the final over. He started well and conceded just three off the first three balls. Jones then smacked him for a six over the leg-side, followed by a single. Kumar somehow managed to clear the mid-off fielder inside the circle for a four as the match ended in a tie.
Pakistan now face India in the high octane class on 9th June 2024 and would look to revive themselves after a lower par performance .