Asia Cup 2025: Pakistan-India match faces possible cancellation

ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: The highly anticipated Pakistan-India Asia Cup match, scheduled for September 14 in Dubai, could face a possible set back as a public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Supreme Court of India seeking cancellation of the match.

According to Indian media reports, the petition, filed by four law students led by Urvashi Jain, argues that holding the match after the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor would dishonor the sacrifices of Indian civilians and soldiers.

It also presses for strict enforcement of the National Sports Governance Act, 2025 to bring the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) under government oversight.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not issued any direct comment on the petition. However, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently underlined that Pakistan will not “beg” for cricket with India and expects all engagements to be handled on equal terms.

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Despite the petition, excitement in both countries is building for the clash between the two countries in the Asia Cup. Pakistan-India matches remain the most anticipated contests in world cricket, drawing global audiences that often cross hundreds of millions of viewers.

Matches between India and Pakistan are rare, usually confined to ICC or ACC events due to political tensions.

This scarcity makes every encounter a high-stakes affair, both for the players and for fans who treat the contest as much more than a game.

Analysts say that cancelling such a match would be a major setback for cricket in the region. Beyond disappointing millions of fans, it could also hurt broadcasters, advertisers, and the Asian Cricket Council (ACC), which depends heavily on Indo-Pak fixtures for commercial success.

The Indian Supreme Court has yet to set a hearing date for the PIL or issue notices to the BCCI. Until then, cricket fans across South Asia wait anxiously to see if the September 14 blockbuster will go ahead.