Ever since the Asia Cup 2025 schedule was unveiled, the biggest talking point has been whether India and Pakistan should face each other on the cricket field amidst strained political ties. The debate grew sharper after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, which reignited emotions across the country. Just days before the much-anticipated clash in Dubai on September 14, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court seeking to cancel the fixture.
The petition, filed under Article 32 of the Constitution by four law students led by Ms. Urvashi Jain, demanded that the high-voltage T20 clash be called off. The plea argued that playing against Pakistan after the loss of civilian and military lives would send the wrong message to the nation. However, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi refused to entertain the matter, making it clear that “it’s just a match.”
The exchange inside the courtroom highlighted the bench’s stance:
- Counsel: “I may have a bad case, but please list before you.”
- Justice Maheshwari: “What is the urgency? It’s a match, let it be. The match is this Sunday, what can be done?”
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The petitioners maintained that sporting ties with Pakistan undermine the morale of the armed forces and cause distress to the families of martyrs. They stressed that cricket must never be placed above national security, dignity, and the sacrifices of soldiers.
The Supreme Court today refused to urgently list a PIL seeking cancellation of the India-Pakistan cricket match scheduled to be held on September 14 as part of the Asia Cup T20 tournament.
Read more: https://t.co/63IpGIUdfF#SupremeCourt #AsiaCup #cricketmatch #IndiaPakistan pic.twitter.com/eOHb2EuWgV— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) September 11, 2025
This isn’t the first time such sentiments have surrounded an India-Pakistan encounter. Calls for a boycott have been raised in the past, but the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reiterated that it functions under the central government’s policy. As per the current stance, India does not engage in bilateral cricket with Pakistan but does participate in multinational tournaments such as the Asia Cup and ICC events.
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BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia recently clarified that withdrawing from these competitions could invite sanctions from international governing bodies like the ICC or the Asian Cricket Council. Such penalties could not only affect India’s reputation but also jeopardize the careers of its players.
In essence, while emotions continue to run high, the government and the BCCI have opted for a pragmatic approach—upholding national interests while ensuring Indian cricket remains active on the global stage.
