Haris Rauf was accused of ball tampering during the T20 World Cup match
Haris Rauf was accused of ball tampering during the T20 World Cup match
The 2024 T20 World Cup has already taken a fiery turn with the USA team pulling off a huge upset. USA defeated Pakistan in their opener match of the T20 World Cup 2024. However, Rusty Theron, a former South African cricket player who is currently playing for the USA, has noticed something foul in the match. He noticed Haris Rauf tampering with the ball during the Pakistan vs USA T20 match.
First, Pakistan’s batting struggled, scoring just 159 runs. However, a self-assured bowling attack led by pace maestro Shaheen Afridi appeared ready to limit the pursuit. But a late attack by the American batters, led by captain Monank Patel, leveled the score and sent the game into a suspenseful Super Over.
This is where the intriguing part started. Theron rushed to social media to accuse Pakistani pacer Haris Rauf of tampering with the ball, while the USA celebrated their incredible victory.
Theron, a former cricket player from South Africa who later became an American citizen, accused Rauf of using his thumbnail to change the ball’s condition again shortly after it was first modified and blamed him for a delivery that had a reverse swing.
International Cricket Council (ICC) is still silent on the matter
The cricketing world was shocked by this accusation. Ball tampering is a severe infraction that, if confirmed, could cost Pakistan dearly. With the International Cricket Council (ICC) still silent on the subject, observers and supporters are waiting for word.
Pakistan will be nursing their wounds in the meantime. In addition to their humiliating loss, the claims of ball manipulation merely compound the harm. They will have to bounce back fast from this high-stakes meeting if they hope to avoid a dismal World Cup campaign opener against their bitter rivals, India.
@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 Harris Rauf running his thumb nail over the ball at the top of his mark. @usacricket #PakvsUSA
— Rusty Theron (@RustyTheron) June 6, 2024
FAQs
- What evidence did Rusty Theron present to support his ball-tampering claims?
Theron’s main proof is visual.
He says he witnessed Haris Rauf running his fingernail over the ball during his run-up, just after a new ball was provided. There is no mention of any strong proof, including video footage.
- What is the penalty for ball tampering?
In cricket, tampering with the ball is a major infraction. Depending on how serious the matter is, the ICC can impose various penalties. Playing bans, fines, and even the team losing points are examples of penalties.
- How will the ICC investigate these accusations?
The ICC will probably watch the game film and speak with officials and players from both teams. Experts in ball-tracking technology may also be consulted in order to assess Rauf’s bowling motion.
- How will this controversy affect Pakistan’s World Cup campaign?
For Pakistan, this topic is a major source of distraction. To get past this setback and play well in their next games, they’ll need to keep their composure and team spirit.
