‘Match should go on’: Supreme Court refuses urgent listing of plea against India-Pakistan Asia Cup match

The Supreme Court on Thursday (September 11, 2025) declined to urgently hear a petition that sought cancellation of the India–Pakistan cricket match scheduled for September 14 as part of the Asia Cup T20 tournament. 

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The petition, filed by four law students, contended that staging the match in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor is “against national interest” and demeans the sacrifices of armed forces and civilians who lost their lives in the attack.

When the matter was mentioned before a Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi for urgent listing, the Bench declined to entertain the plea. “What is the urgency? It’s a match, let it be,” Justice Maheshwari told the counsel who urged the court to list the matter on Friday (September 12).

When the lawyer pointed out that the match was to be held on Sunday (September 14) and that the petition would otherwise become infructuous, the Bench remained unmoved. “Match is this Sunday? What can we do about that? Let it be. The match should go on,” it said.

Even as the lawyer insisted that the merits of the case were immaterial and that it ought to be heard, the Bench reiterated its refusal.

‘National interest’

“Playing with Pakistan sends the opposite message, that while our soldiers are sacrificing their lives, we are celebrating sports with the same country sheltering terrorists. It can also hurt the sentiments of the families of the victims. The dignity of the nation and security of citizens come before entertainment,” the plea, filed through advocates Sneha Rani, Abhishek Verma and Md. Anas Chaudhary said.

The petitioners submitted that cricket cannot be placed above national interest, the lives of citizens, or the sacrifices of armed personnel, cautioning that allowing the match to proceed would undermine the morale of both the armed forces and the public. “The nation’s dignity and security must outweigh considerations of entertainment and revenue generation,” they said.

In addition to seeking cancellation of the match, the students urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs to implement the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and to bring “season ball” cricket within the ambit of a recognised National Sports Federation.

They further submitted that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has been arrayed as a respondent, must be brought under the ambit of the Sports Ministry. “It is high time that the BCCI is brought under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Once the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, is implemented, BCCI will necessarily have to fall under the National Sports Board created under the Act,” the petitioners said.