New Delhi: Indian hardliners faced a setback as the Indian Supreme Court refused to hear a petition seeking cancellation of the upcoming Pakistan–India Asia Cup T20 match.
The plea, filed under Article 32 of the Indian Constitution, called for immediate orders to stop the September 14, 2025 match scheduled in Dubai, arguing that holding the game after recent militant attacks insulted national pride and the sacrifices of Indian soldiers.
The bench, comprising Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi, declined to entertain the request.
During the hearing, Advocate Urvashi Jain, representing four law students, urged an urgent hearing, admitting her argument might not be strong but asking the court to listen.
The judges questioned the urgency, remarking that “this is just a match—let it remain a match,” and emphasized that nothing could be done with the game only days away.
Petitioners claimed that cricket should not be placed above national interest or the lives lost in the Pahalgam attack and Sandur operation.
However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) maintains it must follow central government policy, which bans bilateral series with Pakistan but permits participation in international tournaments.
BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia warned that boycotting multilateral competitions could invite penalties from the Asian Cricket Council or ICC, harming Indian players’ careers.
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This is not the first time calls for cancellation or boycott of an India–Pakistan clash have emerged, but the Supreme Court made clear the match will proceed as planned.
