The Supreme Court on September 11 rejected urgent listing of a plea asking for the cancellation of T20 Asia Cup 2025 clash between India and Pakistan which is scheduled to take place on September 14.
A bench of Justice J K Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi heard the heard the urgent listing by a lawyer and responded, "What is the urgency? It's a match, let it be. Match is this Sunday, what can be done? Match should go on."
The petition was field by four law students. One of the students, Urvashi Jain said that a match between India and Pakistan, months after the Pahalgam terrorist attack and Operation SINDOOR does not sit well with the nation's sentiment.
"Cricket between nations is meant to show harmony and friendship. But after the Phalagam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, when our people died and our soldiers risked everything, playing with Pakistan sent the opposite message that while our soldiers sacrificing their lives, we are celebrating sports with the same country sheltering terrorists (sic)," the plea submitted.
"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 nation and security of citizens come before entertainment," it added.
India and Pakistan are highly likely to advance to the Super Fours stage. They are expected to lock horns again on September 20. There is a third clash possible as well if they make it to the final which is scheduled for September 28.
Chopra vs Nadeem in Tokyo
However, before India-Pakistan’s second T20 Asia Cup 2025 clash, athletes from both sides of the border will go up against each other in World Athletics Championship in Tokyo. Olympic gold medallists, javelin throwers Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem will play against each other on September 18.