<strong>5 Most controversial cricket matches:</strong> A sport like cricket which has this sub-title of being the gentleman’s game would like to be referred and regarded for all the reasons that glorify and portray its positive sides. But there have been controversial incidents, significant enough to affect the course of the match and that prompts us to compile this list of the most controversial matches.

<strong>Here are the 5 Most controversial cricket matches:<br></strong>

<strong>1. India vs Sri Lanka Semi-final, 1996 Cricket World Cup:</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/09/India-vs-Sri-Lanka-1996-WC-Semi-Final.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-34340" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/India-vs-Sri-Lanka-1996-WC-Semi-Final.jpg" alt="controversial cricket matches" width="404" height="241" sizes="(max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34340" class="wp-caption-text">India vs Sri Lanka Semi-final, 1996 Cricket World Cup. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption>

Chasing 252 runs in the semi-final of world cup 1996, India collapsed to 120 for 8, succumbing to pressure. Defeat looked imminent; India lost 7 wickets in a matter of 22 runs. The wretched show of batting by the Indian batsmen set the public on fire. The angry spectators started throwing water bottles on the ground and set things ablaze in the stands. Match referee Clive Lloyd halted the match for 15 minutes and later tried to resume the match under tight security, but his effort went in vain as the spectators were in no mood to calm down. And as a result, the play could not resume and the match was eventually awarded to Sri Lanka.

Also Read &#8211; <strong><a href="http://goo.gl/iTnlJ1" target="_blank">17 Most Controversial moments in Cricket History</a></strong>

<strong>2. England vs Pakistan Oval Test, 2006:</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/09/Pakistan-vs-England-2006-Oval.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-34341" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Pakistan-vs-England-2006-Oval.jpg" alt="England vs Pakistan Oval Test, 2006" width="397" height="274" sizes="(max-width: 397px) 100vw, 397px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34341" class="wp-caption-text">England vs Pakistan Oval Test, 2006. (Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption>

Day 4 of the 4th Test between England and Pakistan saw a huge controversy; as the play resumed after the lunch break Pakistani players looked high and dry as nothing was going their way. All of a sudden the umpires discovered that the ball wasn’t looking in its preferred state. Umpire Darrell Hair accused the Pakistani team of ball tampering and awarded England 5 runs as penalty.

And as a mark of protest, the Pakistani team decided not to take the field after the tea break. The umpires waited for them for a while and when no response came from the Pakistani players, the umpires declared the match forfeited and awarded the match to England. This is the only forfeited Test match in the history of the game.

<strong>3. Australia v India Sydney Test, 2008:</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/09/Harbhajan-Singh-vs-Andrew-Symonds.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-34343" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Harbhajan-Singh-vs-Andrew-Symonds.jpg" alt="Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds Monkegate" width="399" height="274" sizes="(max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34343" class="wp-caption-text">Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds Monkegate. (© Getty Images)</figcaption>

India v Australia Sydney Test of 2008 was probably the most controversial Test match the world has ever seen. The series was tarnished by controversies one after the other, as the Australian players displayed an absolute lack of sportsmanship during that tour.

During the 2nd Test match of that series at the SCG, an ugly dispute between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds shocked the entire cricket society. Andrew Symonds alleged that Harbhajan Singh made a racist remark against him by calling him a monkey. Harbhajan was banned for 3 Tests as a consequence.

Later it was concluded that Harbhajan had rather abused Symonds and under extreme pressure from the BCCI the ban was lifted off the Indian off-spinner.

<strong>4. </strong><strong>Australia vs Pakistan WACA, 2010:</strong>

<a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/09/Shahid-Afridi-Ball-Tampering.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-34345" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shahid-Afridi-Ball-Tampering.jpg" alt="Shahid Afridi Ball Tampering" width="418" height="304" sizes="(max-width: 418px) 100vw, 418px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34345" class="wp-caption-text">Shahid Afridi Ball Tampering. (Photo Source: Dailymotion)</figcaption>

It was the most embarrassing moment for the Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi when he was caught on camera, biting the ball during an ODI match against Australia on 31st January 2010. The charge was laid by the on-field umpires Ashoka de Silva and Paul Reiffel as well as the 3rd umpire, Rod Tucker and 4th umpire Mick Martell. As a consequence, Afridi was banned for 2 T20 international matches.

In his defence, Afridi tried a rather hilarious and stupid excuse that he was trying to smell the ball. This is the one of the most talked about cricket field controversies ever to take place.

<strong>5. West Indies v Australia Georgetown, 1999:</strong>

“Chaos in Georgetown”. After a thrilling see-saw match, it all came down to the last ball, Australia needed 4 runs to win with 1 ball left. Steve Waugh hit the ball to mid-wicket they ran 2 and as they started for the 3<sup>rd</sup> people invaded the ground thinking that West Indies had won the match. It was both chaotic and hilarious at the same time. An hour later, Subba Row announced the result: It was a tie. He explained that, it was a difficult decision to reach but that “common sense must prevail&#8221; and “cricket had to be the winner&#8221;.

<p><strong>5 Most controversial cricket matches:</strong> A sport like cricket which has this sub-title of being the gentleman’s game would like to be referred and regarded for all the reasons that glorify and portray its&nbsp;positive sides. But there have been controversial incidents, significant enough to affect the course of the match and that prompts us to compile this list of the most controversial matches.</p>
<h3><strong>Here are the 5 Most controversial cricket matches:<br>
</strong></h3>
<h4><strong>1.&nbsp;India vs Sri Lanka Semi-final, 1996 Cricket World Cup:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_34340" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-34340" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/09/India-vs-Sri-Lanka-1996-WC-Semi-Final.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-34340" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/India-vs-Sri-Lanka-1996-WC-Semi-Final.jpg" alt="controversial cricket matches" width="404" height="241" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34340" class="wp-caption-text">India vs Sri Lanka Semi-final, 1996 Cricket World Cup. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Chasing 252 runs in the semi-final of world cup 1996, India collapsed to 120 for 8, succumbing to pressure. Defeat looked imminent; India lost 7 wickets in a matter of 22 runs. The wretched show of batting by the Indian batsmen set the public on fire. The angry spectators started throwing water bottles on the ground and set things ablaze in the stands. Match referee Clive Lloyd halted the match for 15 minutes and later tried to resume the match under tight security, but his effort went in vain as the spectators were in no mood to calm down. And as a result, the play could not resume and the match was eventually awarded to Sri Lanka.</p>
<h4>Also Read – <strong><a href="http://goo.gl/iTnlJ1" target="_blank">17 Most Controversial moments in Cricket History</a></strong></h4>
<h4><strong>2. England vs Pakistan Oval Test, 2006:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_34341" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-34341" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/09/Pakistan-vs-England-2006-Oval.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-34341" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Pakistan-vs-England-2006-Oval.jpg" alt="England vs Pakistan Oval Test, 2006" width="397" height="274" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34341" class="wp-caption-text">England vs Pakistan Oval Test, 2006. (Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Day 4 of the 4th Test between England and Pakistan saw a huge controversy; as the play resumed after the lunch break Pakistani players looked high and dry as nothing was going their way. All of a sudden the umpires discovered that the ball wasn’t looking in its preferred state. Umpire Darrell Hair accused the Pakistani team of ball tampering and awarded England 5 runs as penalty.</p>
<p>And as a mark of protest, the Pakistani team decided not to take the field after the tea break. The umpires waited for them for a while and when no response came from the Pakistani players, the umpires declared the match forfeited and awarded the match to England. This is the only forfeited Test match in the history of the game.</p>
<h4><strong>3. Australia v India Sydney Test, 2008:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_34343" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-34343" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/09/Harbhajan-Singh-vs-Andrew-Symonds.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-34343" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Harbhajan-Singh-vs-Andrew-Symonds.jpg" alt="Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds Monkegate" width="399" height="274" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34343" class="wp-caption-text">Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds Monkegate. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>India v Australia Sydney Test of 2008 was probably the most controversial Test match the world has ever seen. The series was tarnished by controversies one after the other, as the Australian players displayed an absolute lack of sportsmanship during that tour.</p>
<p>During the 2nd Test match of that series at the SCG, an ugly dispute between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds shocked the entire cricket society. Andrew Symonds alleged that Harbhajan Singh made a racist remark against him by calling him a monkey. Harbhajan was banned for 3 Tests as a consequence.</p>
<p>Later it was concluded that Harbhajan had rather abused Symonds and under extreme pressure from the BCCI the ban was lifted off the Indian off-spinner.</p>
<h4><strong>4.&nbsp;</strong><strong>Australia vs Pakistan WACA, 2010:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_34345" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-34345" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/09/Shahid-Afridi-Ball-Tampering.jpg"><amp-img class=" wp-image-34345" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shahid-Afridi-Ball-Tampering.jpg" alt="Shahid Afridi Ball Tampering" width="418" height="304" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34345" class="wp-caption-text">Shahid Afridi Ball Tampering. (Photo Source: Dailymotion)</figcaption></figure>
<p>It was the most embarrassing moment for the Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi when he was caught on camera, biting the ball during an ODI match against Australia on 31st January 2010. The charge was laid by the on-field umpires Ashoka de Silva and Paul Reiffel as well as the 3rd umpire, Rod Tucker and 4th umpire Mick Martell. As a consequence, Afridi was banned for 2 T20 international matches.</p>
<p>In his defence, Afridi tried a rather hilarious and stupid excuse that he was trying to smell the ball. This is the one of the most talked about cricket field controversies ever to take place.</p>
<h4><strong>5. West Indies v Australia Georgetown, 1999:</strong></h4>
<p class="video-wrap"><amp-youtube data-videoid="ctKPMuA0s3c" layout="responsive" height="375" width="500" data-param-feature="oembed"></amp-youtube></p>
<p>“Chaos in Georgetown”. After a thrilling see-saw match, it all came down to the last ball, Australia needed 4 runs to win with 1 ball left. Steve Waugh hit the ball to mid-wicket they ran 2 and as they started for the 3<sup>rd</sup> people invaded the ground thinking that West Indies had won the match. It was both chaotic and hilarious at the same time. An hour later, Subba Row announced the result: It was a tie. He explained that, it was a difficult decision to reach but that “common sense must prevail” and “cricket had to be the winner”.</p>

<p><strong>5 Most controversial cricket matches:</strong> A sport like cricket which has this sub-title of being the gentleman’s game would like to be referred and regarded for all the reasons that glorify and portray its positive sides. But there have been controversial incidents, significant enough to affect the course of the match and that prompts us to compile this list of the most controversial matches.</p>
<h3><strong>Here are the 5 Most controversial cricket matches:<br>
</strong></h3>
<h4><strong>1. India vs Sri Lanka Semi-final, 1996 Cricket World Cup:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_34340" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-34340" style="width: 404px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/09/India-vs-Sri-Lanka-1996-WC-Semi-Final.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-34340" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/India-vs-Sri-Lanka-1996-WC-Semi-Final.jpg" alt="controversial cricket matches" width="404" height="241" sizes="(max-width: 404px) 100vw, 404px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34340" class="wp-caption-text">India vs Sri Lanka Semi-final, 1996 Cricket World Cup. (Photo Source: Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Chasing 252 runs in the semi-final of world cup 1996, India collapsed to 120 for 8, succumbing to pressure. Defeat looked imminent; India lost 7 wickets in a matter of 22 runs. The wretched show of batting by the Indian batsmen set the public on fire. The angry spectators started throwing water bottles on the ground and set things ablaze in the stands. Match referee Clive Lloyd halted the match for 15 minutes and later tried to resume the match under tight security, but his effort went in vain as the spectators were in no mood to calm down. And as a result, the play could not resume and the match was eventually awarded to Sri Lanka.</p>
<h4>Also Read &#8211; <strong><a href="http://goo.gl/iTnlJ1" target="_blank">17 Most Controversial moments in Cricket History</a></strong></h4>
<h4><strong>2. England vs Pakistan Oval Test, 2006:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_34341" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-34341" style="width: 397px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/09/Pakistan-vs-England-2006-Oval.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-34341" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Pakistan-vs-England-2006-Oval.jpg" alt="England vs Pakistan Oval Test, 2006" width="397" height="274" sizes="(max-width: 397px) 100vw, 397px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34341" class="wp-caption-text">England vs Pakistan Oval Test, 2006. (Photo Source: AFP)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Day 4 of the 4th Test between England and Pakistan saw a huge controversy; as the play resumed after the lunch break Pakistani players looked high and dry as nothing was going their way. All of a sudden the umpires discovered that the ball wasn’t looking in its preferred state. Umpire Darrell Hair accused the Pakistani team of ball tampering and awarded England 5 runs as penalty.</p>
<p>And as a mark of protest, the Pakistani team decided not to take the field after the tea break. The umpires waited for them for a while and when no response came from the Pakistani players, the umpires declared the match forfeited and awarded the match to England. This is the only forfeited Test match in the history of the game.</p>
<h4><strong>3. Australia v India Sydney Test, 2008:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_34343" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-34343" style="width: 399px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/09/Harbhajan-Singh-vs-Andrew-Symonds.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-34343" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Harbhajan-Singh-vs-Andrew-Symonds.jpg" alt="Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds Monkegate" width="399" height="274" sizes="(max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34343" class="wp-caption-text">Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds Monkegate. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
<p>India v Australia Sydney Test of 2008 was probably the most controversial Test match the world has ever seen. The series was tarnished by controversies one after the other, as the Australian players displayed an absolute lack of sportsmanship during that tour.</p>
<p>During the 2nd Test match of that series at the SCG, an ugly dispute between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds shocked the entire cricket society. Andrew Symonds alleged that Harbhajan Singh made a racist remark against him by calling him a monkey. Harbhajan was banned for 3 Tests as a consequence.</p>
<p>Later it was concluded that Harbhajan had rather abused Symonds and under extreme pressure from the BCCI the ban was lifted off the Indian off-spinner.</p>
<h4><strong>4. </strong><strong>Australia vs Pakistan WACA, 2010:</strong></h4>
<figure id="attachment_34345" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-34345" style="width: 418px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/2015/09/Shahid-Afridi-Ball-Tampering.jpg"><img loading="lazy" class=" wp-image-34345" src="https://media.crictracker.com/media/attachments/Shahid-Afridi-Ball-Tampering.jpg" alt="Shahid Afridi Ball Tampering" width="418" height="304" sizes="(max-width: 418px) 100vw, 418px"></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-34345" class="wp-caption-text">Shahid Afridi Ball Tampering. (Photo Source: Dailymotion)</figcaption></figure>
<p>It was the most embarrassing moment for the Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi when he was caught on camera, biting the ball during an ODI match against Australia on 31st January 2010. The charge was laid by the on-field umpires Ashoka de Silva and Paul Reiffel as well as the 3rd umpire, Rod Tucker and 4th umpire Mick Martell. As a consequence, Afridi was banned for 2 T20 international matches.</p>
<p>In his defence, Afridi tried a rather hilarious and stupid excuse that he was trying to smell the ball. This is the one of the most talked about cricket field controversies ever to take place.</p>
<h4><strong>5. West Indies v Australia Georgetown, 1999:</strong></h4>
<p class="video-wrap"><iframe loading="lazy" width="500" height="375" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ctKPMuA0s3c?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>“Chaos in Georgetown”. After a thrilling see-saw match, it all came down to the last ball, Australia needed 4 runs to win with 1 ball left. Steve Waugh hit the ball to mid-wicket they ran 2 and as they started for the 3<sup>rd</sup> people invaded the ground thinking that West Indies had won the match. It was both chaotic and hilarious at the same time. An hour later, Subba Row announced the result: It was a tie. He explained that, it was a difficult decision to reach but that “common sense must prevail&#8221; and “cricket had to be the winner&#8221;.</p>

5 Most controversial cricket matches

5 Most controversial cricket matches: A sport like cricket which has this sub-title of being the gentleman’s game would like to be referred and regarded for

5 Most controversial cricket matches

4. Australia vs Pakistan WACA, 2010: