A contentious no-ball decision in the final over of the India-Pakistan T20 World Cup thriller resulted in plenty of debate. The Pakistan fielders, led by captain Babar Azam, were involved in an animated discussion with the on-field umpires over the crucial call against a ball the umpire deemed was waist-high.

There was no dearth of drama in the final over, bowled by left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz. India needed 16 runs, and eventually reached there off the last ball. They were helped along by a no-ball, two wides, and three byes in the over. It was the no-ball call that did not go down well with the Pakistan team, who immediately made their displeasure clear to the umpires. The extra ball and run brought the equation down to six required off three.

Nawaz had dismissed Hardik Pandya off the first ball. Following that, Dinesh Karthik ran a single, then sprinted back to get a second run to get Virat Kohli back on strike.

The next ball was a waist-high full-toss that Kohli swatted over the deep square-leg fence. The ball just escaped the grasp of a diving Asif Ali. Kohli immediately turned towards leg umpire Marias Erasmus and gestured for a no-ball. After a brief pause, Erasmus confirmed to Tucker that it was indeed a no-ball.

A visibly displeased Babar rushed to the umpire to question the appeal. “Rod Tucker is under siege here, Marias Erasmus is going over to give him some help,” said Ian Smith on air as Babar continued to have a long discussion with Tucker, with Erasmus walking in for support. Pakistan vice-captain Shadab Khan joined in, while Karthik also had his ears in the chat.

It was undoubtedly a tight call. The fact that the ball came in contact when the bat was completely outstretched in his arms, with Kohli a step outside the crease, complicated the decision. Babar & co.’s remonstrations did not lead to anything, and the no-ball stood. Instead of 13 in three balls, India needed six off the last three.

“These are very very emotional scenes here, Babar is not happy at all,” noted Harsha Bhogle on air, “but Marias Erasmus has this great ability to calm things down.”

The subsequent delivery was a wide that reduced the target to five from three balls. Another free hit, and this time Nawaz clattered Kohli’s stumps, but the carried-over free hit allowed the India duo to steal three byes. Karthik was stumped off the next ball, but an ice-cool R Ashwin read the next ball – a wide – and left it alone.

India now needed a run off the last ball, and Ashwin calmly tapped the ball over mid-off’s head to give India a historic win.

It is important to note that in the aftermath of a dismissal, once the on-field umpires have adjudged a no-ball, the TV umpire cannot reverse the decision. The same is mentioned in Appendix D, 2.6.1 of T20 World Cup playing conditions: “If the bowler’s end umpire is uncertain as to the fairness of the delivery following a dismissal (other than in respect of the front foot, which shall have already been checked by the third umpire), either affecting the validity of the dismissal or which batter is dismissed, other than in respect of clause 21.5 (Fair delivery – the feet) for which the third umpire will already have checked, he/she shall be entitled to request the batter to delay leaving the field and to check the fairness of the delivery with the third umpire.”

Elsewhere, on social media, there were plenty who questioned the no-ball call.

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IndiaPakistan Series Editorial