PAK vs BAN, Asia Cup 2023: Haris Rauf has a hole in his shoe! Learn why

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Haris Rauf was at the top of his game again on Wednesday as Pakistan took on Bangladesh in the first Super Fours match of the Asia Cup 2023. Introduced in the eighth over, the right-arm pacer first got rid of Mohammad Naim on the third delivery.

He struck again on the first ball of his second over as his 145 kmph screamer got too hot to handle for Towhid Hridoy who could play his shot only after the ball had gone through his bat and pad and cleared his stumps. He picked two more wickets to finish with figures of 4/19 in just six overs.

In the previous match against India, Haris Rauf had picked the crucial wickets of Shubman Gill, Shreyas Iyer and Ishan Kishan to register figures of 3/58 in nine overs. The 29-year-old is currently the highest wicket-taker in the Asia Cup 2023. He has picked nine wickets in three matches at an average of 10.33.

On Wednesday, the broadcasters showed a hole in the left side of Haris Rauf which perplexed fans who were unaware of the reason behind it. The hole obviously isn't because Haris Rauf is lacking any sponsorship or funds to get a pair of untorn cricket shoes.

Why Haris Rauf has a hole in his shoe?

Haris Rauf isn't the first pacer who has a hole in his shoe. The reason behind it is very scientific in nature. There is a very high pressure on the landing foot after a bowler completes his run-up and leaps in the air before making his landing. The entire effort made by the bowler is to add pace to his delivery.

Faster the pace of the bowler, the more is the pressure exerted on the landing foot. In the case of Haris, his left foot is the landing foot. He has deliberately cut out the front of his left shoe where the big toe is to relieve some of this pressure. This also reduces the chances of his toenails being clipped off due to high pressure. Tearing the part above the toe in their landing shoe can help the air move freely and it will reduce the pressure on the toe.

India pacers including Mohammed Shami has also been seen using the same technique to save himself from injury.