Virat Kohli at centre of 'disgraceful' controversy in T20 World Cup epic

Cricket fans and questioning the validity of India's thrilling win over Pakistan at the T20 World Cup in Melbourne on Sunday night, with a late no-ball call proving highly controversial.

A legendary knock from Virat Kohli lifted India to an extraordinary last-ball win over arch-rivals Pakistan in front of 90,293 fans at the MCG.

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In another remarkable chapter in one of world sport's biggest rivalries, Kohli's unbeaten 82 helped India from 4-31 to pass Pakistan's 8-159 and secure an unforgettable four-wicket win.

The final six balls of the match from Pakistan spinner Mohammad Nawaz produced an extraordinary array of twists and turns, including no-balls, byes, wides and a stumping.

With Indian requiring 16 off the final over, Nawaz was controversially called for a no-ball on the fourth delivery from a full toss, which Kohli smashed for six, leaving Pakistan captain Babar Azam pleading his case to the umpires.

Replays showed the ball might have been marginally over waist height, however many pointed out that Kohli was well out of his crease at the time he hit the ball.

Under ICC laws, a no-ball can be called when a full toss reaches the batter over waist height while in their normal batting stance.

Because the no-ball was called, India were awarded a free hit as well as the seven runs - from the six and illegal delivery.

On the ensuing free hit, Kohli was clean bowled by Nawaz but India were able to run three byes after the ball ricocheted off the stumps.

Pakistan players also seemed to question the umpires as to whether India were allowed to run after Kohli was bowled on the free hit, but according to ICC rules they were well within their rights.

India allrounder Ravi Ashwin then hit the final ball over cover with the scores tied to secure the winning run and send the majority of the 90,293 fans into pandemonium.

However the talk of the cricket world after the match was the questionable no-ball call, which swung the momentum clearly in India's favour.

Posting a screenshot of the contentious moment, Aussie cult hero Brad Hogg tweeted: "Why was no ball not reviewed, then how can it not be a dead ball when Kohli was bowled on a free hit."

Others also questioned why the on-field officials didn't refer the decision to the third umpire, while some pointed out that the no-ball was only called after Kohli protested.

Virat Kohli's insane knock stuns cricket world

Kohli and Hardik Pandya put on a 113-run partnership before the latter was dismissed on the first ball of the last over.

Wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik made just one before he was out off the second last ball, bringing Ashwin to the crease.

Kohli and Pandya came to the rescue after India collapsed early in their chase, with fiery Pakistani quick Haris Rauf ripping through the top-order.

One of the finest batters of his generation, the 33-year-old started his innings slowly, but exploded after the 10th over when India were 4-45.

"I have no idea how that happened," Kohli said.

"Hardik kept telling me just believe, believe you can do it and stay until the end.

"I was kind of pumping myself up to hit two sixes when we needed 28 off eight (balls), and that became 16 off six.

"I think I will count this one higher (than any other T20 innings) because of the magnitude of the game and what the situation was - it seemed impossible."

The crowd figure was one of the biggest ever for a cricket game in Australia, falling narrowly short of the 93,013 that attended the 2015 ODI World Cup final.

with AAP

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