'India-Pakistan match must go on, what’s the urgency?': SC rejects plea to cancel game

The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to urgently list a plea seeking the cancellation of the India-Pakistan cricket match scheduled for September 14 as part of the Asia Cup T20 tournament. 

The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi. "What is the urgency? It’s a match, let it be," the bench said.

When the counsel requested the matter to be listed urgently on Friday, citing that the match is scheduled for Sunday, the bench responded: "The match is this Sunday? What can we do now? Let it be. The match should go on."

The petition was filed by four law students who argued that India playing a cricket match with Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor goes against national interest and undermines the sacrifices of the armed forces and the civilians.

"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," according to the petition. 

However, the apex court declined their arguments and said that the match should go on. 

India is scheduled to play Pakistan on September 14 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. In their opening match on Wednesday, India defeated the UAE by 9 wickets after reducing them to just 57 runs. 
(With inputs from LiveLaw)