Haris Rauf accused of ball-tampering in Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2024 opener against USA

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Haris Rauf has been accused of tampering the ball in Pakistan's first match of the T20 World Cup 2024 against USA in Dallas on Thursday, June 6. Former South Africa pacer Rusty Theron, who played for USA later, tagged ICC on X (formerly known as Twitter) while making the accusation.

Moments after Haris Rauf clean bowled USA number three Andries Gous in the 15th over, Rusty Theron took to X to suggest that the speedster was using his nails to tamper the ball, and make it suitable for some reverse swing.

Theron, who is not part of the USA squad, also pointed out that the ball was reverse swinging despite the ball being changed just ahead of the 13th over. The 38-year-old pacer also slammed the ICC for turning a blind eye to the alleged incident.

"@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," Theron wrote on 'X'.

Co-hosts USA stunned Pakistan as they beat the 2009 champions via a Super Over on Thursday to pull off the first upset of T20 World Cup 2024. Rauf was Pakistan's most expensive pacer, leaking 37 runs in four overs. USA lost just three wickets in the match as they equalled Pakistan’s 159/7 in 20 overs.

Eleven runs were needed from the last two deliveries when Haris got hit for a six, and then a four on the final delivery of the 20th over. Later, Mohammad Amir, who gave away just 25 runs in four overs, leaked 18 runs in the Super Over. Pakistan could themselves collect just 13 runs. Pakistan will next be in action against India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday, June 9.