Pakistani fast bowler Haris Rauf faces allegations of ball tampering after Pakistan’s unexpected loss to the United States in the T20 World Cup on Thursday.
US cricketer Rusty Theron raised the accusations on X (formerly Twitter). Theron suggested Rauf used his fingernails to alter the ball during the game, tweeting, “Are we just going to pretend Pakistan isn’t scratching the hell out of this freshly changed ball?” He tagged the International Cricket Council (ICC) and questioned the sudden swing in the ball’s movement after two overs.
The allegations surfaced following a close match in which the US team won in a Super Over. Pakistan is set to play India next on Sunday.
Post-match, Captain Babar Azam remarked on Pakistan’s tendency to underestimate lesser-known teams in major tournaments, stating, “Whenever you come into any tournament, you always do the best preparation,” but acknowledging a mindset issue when facing such teams.
Babar expressed concern over the team’s performance, particularly noting the failure to take early wickets, which was critical in the US’s successful chase highlighted by a 68-run opening partnership.
Babar credited the US for finishing the Super Over, reflecting on the broader issues of executing game plans during matches.
This defeat adds to Pakistan’s history of unexpected losses in major tournaments, following previous defeats to Zimbabwe and Afghanistan.
