Supreme Court Rejects Plea to Cancel India vs Pakistan Asia Cup 2025 Clash Amid Kashmir Attack Outrage
India kicked off their Asia Cup 2025 campaign in style with a dominant nine-wicket win, climbing to the top of the table under skipper Suryakumar Yadav. But ahead of their blockbuster clash against arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14 at Dubai International Stadium, the tournament has been struck by major controversy.
Several fans and public figures have voiced against India playing Pakistan, urging a boycott of the high-voltage encounter due to rising tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir on April 22, where 26 civilians were killed.
Lawyer Moves Supreme Court Over Indo-Pak Clash
Adding fuel to the fire, a lawyer moved the Supreme Court, demanding cancellation of the upcoming match. The plea argued that playing Pakistan would be an “insult” to the victims of the terror attack and their families.
“Cricket between nations is meant to show harmony and friendship. But after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, when our people died and our soldiers risked everything, playing with Pakistan sent the opposite message. While our soldiers sacrificed their lives, we are celebrating sports with the same country sheltering terrorists,” the lawyer stated, as quoted by Times of India.
The petition, filed by four law students led by Urvashi Jain, further added: “The dignity of the nation and the security of citizens come before entertainment. This match will hurt the sentiments of families who lost their loved ones at the hands of Pakistani terrorists.”
Supreme Court’s Verdict
However, the Supreme Court turned down the plea, observing that it was “too late” to act, given the match is scheduled for Sunday, September 14, just three days away.
“What is the urgency? It’s a match, let it be. The match is this Sunday. What can be done?” the bench remarked.
Despite the rejection, fan outrage continues to swell on social media, with hashtags calling for India’s boycott trending across platforms. Yet, tickets for the Indo-Pak clash, considered the biggest spectacle in cricket, remain in hot demand.
