Multiple Nations
June 2024
The T20 World Cup 2024 — hosted across the USA and Caribbean — was marked by umpiring controversies involving wide calls and no-ball decisions that drew criticism from multiple teams, amplified by the tournament's use of new venues in the United States where umpiring quality was questioned.
South Africa vs England
January 2020
Confusion arose about whether a ball was dead after a no-ball was bowled and the batsman was hit, leading to debate about free hit procedures.
Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings
12 May 2019
Lasith Malinga appeared to overstep on the crucial final over but the no-ball was not called, potentially costing CSK the IPL 2019 title.
Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals
11 April 2019
MS Dhoni walked onto the field from the dugout to argue with umpires over a no-ball call that was reversed, in an unprecedented act for the usually calm captain.
India vs England
November 2016
The third umpire failed to check for a front-foot no-ball on a wicket-taking delivery, a standard protocol that was missed. The dismissal stood without the check being made.
ICC vs Limited-Overs Cricket
2007-01-01
The free hit rule — awarding the batting side a ball from which the batsman cannot be dismissed (except run-out) following a foot-fault no-ball — was introduced to penalise bowlers more heavily for overstepping and has been widely adopted in limited-overs cricket, though controversial proposals to extend it to Tests were rejected.
India vs Pakistan
1 March 2003
In the 2003 World Cup India-Pakistan match, Sachin Tendulkar was bowled by Shoaib Akhtar early in his innings, but Pakistan failed to appeal for an LBW earlier, and there were claims Akhtar was overstepping throughout.
Sri Lanka vs England
23 January 1999
Umpire Ross Emerson called Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing. Captain Arjuna Ranatunga nearly led his team off the field in protest.
Australia vs Sri Lanka
26 December 1995
Umpire Darrell Hair no-balled Muttiah Muralitharan seven times for a suspect bowling action during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, sparking a massive controversy.
Australia vs Sri Lanka
26 December 1995
Umpire Darrell Hair called Muttiah Muralitharan for throwing seven times during the Boxing Day Test, igniting one of cricket's longest-running controversies.
Australia vs Sri Lanka
26 December 1995
Australian umpire Darrell Hair no-balled Muttiah Muralitharan seven times for throwing during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, igniting one of cricket's longest-running controversies.