Ahead of the marquee India vs Pakistan clash in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court of India seeking cancellation of the match.
The 17th edition of the Asia Cup got underway this week with the match between Afghanistan and Hong Kong. India, on the other hand, opened their campaign against the UAE on Wednesday (September 10).
2 Subcontinent giants face off on September 14
India and Pakistan have been put in the same group once again, with the UAE and Oman being the other two teams in the group.
The India vs Pakistan game is scheduled to take place on Sunday (September 14). However, there have been widespread calls from several quarters to not only boycott the match but also call it off.
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, there have been widespread calls to boycott Pakistan at all levels.
Law students seek cancellation of India vs Pakistan match:
A couple of days before the India vs Pakistan match is scheduled to be played in Dubai, four law students led by Urvashi Jain, through advocates Sneha Rani, Abhishek Verma, and Md. Anas Chaudhary argues that holding the match undermines national dignity and disregards the sacrifices of Indian soldiers and civilians.
“Cricket cannot be placed above national interest, the lives of citizens, or the sacrifices of armed personnel,” the plea stated, urging the apex court to intervene.
The petitioners have also sought directions for the swift implementation of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025, to regulate such decisions in the future.
The BCCI has been facing severe criticism ever since it was announced that the India vs Pakistan match would take place this year.
While only time will tell how things unfold in the coming days, the PIL raising national security and sentiment concerns has put a question mark on the match.
No bilateral sports between the 2 countries
The bilateral ties between India and Pakistan have been suspended for more than a decade now. India suspended the ties following the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008.
Since then, both teams have played just one bilateral series when Pakistan visited India for a short limited-overs series in 2012/13.
While the bilateral ties are suspended, India and Pakistan have regularly played against each other in ICC competitions and the Asia Cup.