-1757570383964_d.webp)
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to urgently hear a petition seeking cancellation of the India–Pakistan cricket match scheduled for 14 September in the Asia Cup T20 tournament.
The petition, filed by four law students, argued that holding the match so soon after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor was “against national interest” and undermined the sacrifices of security personnel and civilians killed in the incident.
When the matter was mentioned before a Bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi for urgent listing, the judges declined to entertain the plea. Justice Maheshwari remarked, “What is the urgency? It’s a match, let it be.”
Counsel pressed for the matter to be listed on Friday, pointing out that the game was scheduled for Sunday. The Bench, however, was unmoved. “Match is this Sunday? What can we do about that? Let it be. The match should go on,” the judges said.
The plea claimed that playing Pakistan would send the “opposite message” to the world at a time when soldiers were laying down their lives. “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 petition stated.
The petitioners emphasised that cricket could not be placed above national interest or the morale of armed forces. “The nation’s dignity and security must outweigh considerations of entertainment and revenue generation,” they argued.
Alongside cancellation of the match, the petitioners urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs to implement the recently enacted National Sports Governance Act, 2025, and bring “season ball” cricket under the ambit of a recognised National Sports Federation.
They further contended that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), named as a respondent, should be brought under the oversight 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 plea adde
