'Haris Rauf Running Thumb Nail Over The Ball': Pakistan Accused of Ball-tampering During Shock Defeat to USA

Pakistan suffered an ignominious defeat at the hands of USA in a 2024 T20 World Cup clash on Thursday in Dallas. This was the first time that the two opponents squared off at an international stage and it was the unfancied USA, a team making their world cup debut, who created history by taking down the former champions in a thrilling Super Over.

While Pakistan will want to quickly recover from the shocking defeat as they face India next this Sunday, a former South Africa cricketer has levelled massive allegations against them.

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Juan Theron, a former South Africa international cricketer, has claimed that Pakistan players were regularly scratching the ball during their match against USA to produce reverse swing with a ‘freshly changed ball’.

Theron claimed that fast bowler Haris Rauf was ‘running his thumb’ over the ball to scratch it at the top of his mark.

“@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,” posted Theron on X (formerly Twitter).

Theron, 38, represented South Africa at international level before switching allegiance to USA. He played four ODIs and nine T20Is for the Proteas between 2010 and 2012.

The right-arm fast bowler has so far played 18 ODIs and as many T20Is in his international career, taking a combined 55 wickets in them,

Theron also played in IPL representing Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals.

USA defeated Pakistan in the Super Over by five runs to register their second win on the trot at the ongoing T20 World Cup which they are also co-hosting alongside West Indies.

Pakistan were kept to 159/7 in 20 overs at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas after USA won the toss and opted to bowl first. The match ended in a tie after USA made 159/3 in 20 overs forcing a Super Over.

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