The Supreme Court has refused to grant an urgent hearing for a petition seeking the cancellation of the upcoming Asia Cup cricket match between India and Pakistan. The matter was brought before a bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi on Thursday. The match is scheduled to be held on Sunday, September 14, in Dubai.
A lawyer representing the petitioners requested the court to list the matter for an urgent hearing, arguing that the petition would become "infructuous" if the matter was not heard before the match. The bench, however, did not find the matter urgent. Justice Maheshwari observed, "What is the urgency? It's a match, let it be. Match is this Sunday, what can be done?" The judge also remarked that the "match should go on."
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed by four law students, who argued that playing a cricket match against Pakistan goes against the national interest, especially in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. They stated that the match "sent the opposite message that while our soldiers sacrificing their lives, we are celebrating sports with the same country sheltering terrorists." The petitioners contended that the match is detrimental to the security, integrity, and morale of the nation.
The plea also seeks to bring the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under the purview of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The petitioners' argument is that the BCCI should be subject to the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and its National Sports Board.
Despite the petitioners' attempts to have the matter heard, the Supreme Court has made it clear that the match will not be stopped. The highly anticipated game will proceed as scheduled on Sunday at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
