'Let Match Go On': Supreme Court Declines Urgent Listing Of Plea To Cancel India-Pakistan Asia Cup Cricket Match

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.

The matter was mentioned before a bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi. "What is the urgency? It's a match, let it be" remarked Justice Maheshwari, on hearing the counsel who mentioned the matter for listing tomorrow.

When the counsel pointed out that the match is on Sunday (Sept 14), and the petition would become infructuous if the matter is not listed tomorrow, the judge said, "Match is this Sunday? What we can do in that? Let it be. Match should go on."

Subsequently, the counsel pled that she may have a good case or a bad case, but atleast the matter may be listed. However, Justice Maheshwari declined the request, reiterating that the match should go on. "Everyday one side, other side, there's a match...one ball...", remarked the judge.

The PIL is filed by 4 petitioners who are currently pursuing law, arguing that India playing the cricket match with Pakistan, in the aftermath of Pahalgam Terror Attack and Operation Sindoor, is against national interest and belittles the sacrifices of armed forces as well as the citizens who lost lives in the attack.

"playing with Pakistan sent the opposite message that while our soldiers 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 who lost their lives in the hand of the Pakistani terrorist. The dignity of the nation and security of citizens come before entertainment" the plea states.

The petitioners contend that cricket cannot be placed above national interest, the lives of citizens, or the sacrifices of armed personnel. The continuation of this match is detrimental to the security, integrity, and morale of the nation.

Besides cancellation of the India-Pakistan match, they seek a direction to the Ministry of Youth Affairs to implement the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 as well as to bring the season ball cricket under National Sports Federation.

The petition impleads the Board of Control for Cricket in India as a party-respondent and urges that it is high time that the BCCI is brought under the purview of Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports.

The petitioners state that if the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 is implemented, BCCI will have to be brought under the National Sports Board established under the Act.

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