Which sport is famous in Pakistan?

When you think of Pakistan, what comes to mind? Mountains, bustling bazaars, or maybe the rich flavors of its food? But if you ask someone on the streets of Lahore, Karachi, or Peshawar what they live and breathe, the answer is almost always the same: cricket.

Cricket isn’t just a game in Pakistan-it’s a religion, a national obsession, and a unifying force across class, language, and region. On any given day, you’ll see kids playing with tennis balls and broken bats in alleyways, shopkeepers pausing their work to watch a match, and entire neighborhoods falling silent when the national team is on the field. The passion isn’t just loud-it’s deep. When Pakistan won the 1992 Cricket World Cup, millions took to the streets. Cars honked. Fireworks lit up the sky. People danced on rooftops. That’s not just sports fandom. That’s collective identity.

How cricket became Pakistan’s heartbeat

Cricket arrived in Pakistan after independence in 1947, brought over by British colonial rule and quickly adopted by the new nation. But it wasn’t until the 1980s and 1990s that it exploded into something bigger than a sport. Players like Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Inzamam-ul-Haq didn’t just play-they became legends. Imran Khan led Pakistan to its first World Cup win in 1992, turning a team into a symbol of resilience. His leadership, charisma, and raw skill turned cricket into a source of national pride during times of political instability.

Today, Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure is one of the most intense in the world. The Pakistan Super League (PSL), launched in 2016, brought in global stars, massive TV deals, and packed stadiums. In 2023, the final of the PSL drew over 10 million viewers in Pakistan alone. The league isn’t just about entertainment-it’s a platform for young talent from small towns to become household names overnight.

Field hockey: the forgotten giant

Before cricket took over, there was field hockey. And not just any hockey-Pakistan’s national team was a global powerhouse. Between 1956 and 1994, Pakistan won eight Olympic medals in hockey, including four golds. At their peak in the 1970s and 80s, they were unbeatable. The team’s speed, precision, and flair made them the envy of the world. They won the Hockey World Cup four times-more than any other nation.

But things changed. Poor funding, lack of modern training facilities, and shifting public interest slowly pushed hockey to the sidelines. While cricket now dominates TV screens and social media, hockey’s glory days are mostly remembered in old photos and documentaries. Still, you’ll find passionate fans in cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi who swear that hockey was Pakistan’s true first love. Some schools still train kids in hockey, and there are quiet efforts to revive it. But for now, it’s a legend in the making, not in the living.

Other sports with deep roots

Cricket and hockey aren’t the only games that matter. In the northern regions like Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, traditional sports still thrive. Attan, a high-energy dance often performed during celebrations, doubles as a test of stamina and rhythm. In mountainous areas, tent pegging-a cavalry sport where riders gallop and pick up small targets from the ground-is still practiced, especially during local festivals.

Wrestling, or pehlwani, has deep roots in rural Pakistan. You’ll find traditional wrestling pits called akhara in villages, where men train in the morning with oil, mud, and bare hands. It’s not just about strength-it’s about discipline, ritual, and community. Some of Pakistan’s top MMA fighters started in these akharas.

Soccer is growing too. With more youth leagues forming and international matches being broadcast widely, soccer is slowly gaining ground, especially in urban centers. But it still plays second fiddle to cricket. The national soccer team hasn’t qualified for the World Cup since 1982. Still, in cities like Hyderabad and Faisalabad, you’ll find kids wearing Messi jerseys and playing in dusty fields after school.

Why cricket dominates everything else

So why does cricket overshadow everything else? It’s not just about wins. Cricket in Pakistan is tied to media, economy, and emotion. Every major match is a national event. TV networks compete for broadcast rights. Advertisers spend millions. Local businesses shut down for matches. The game brings people together-whether it’s a family gathered around a TV in a village or a group of friends shouting at a pub in Islamabad.

Cricket also offers a path out. For many young boys from poor neighborhoods, playing well can mean a scholarship, a job, or even fame. The story of Mohammad Amir, who rose from a Karachi slum to become a world-class bowler, is repeated in dozens of lesser-known cases. Cricket isn’t just a sport-it’s social mobility with a bat and ball.

What the future holds

There’s no sign that cricket’s hold will loosen. The next generation of players-like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi-are already icons. The PSL keeps evolving, bringing in new formats, international stars, and tech-driven fan engagement. Meanwhile, efforts to revive hockey are slow but steady. New academies are opening. Former players are coaching. But without major investment, it’s unlikely to return to its former glory.

Meanwhile, other sports are trying to catch up. Badminton has seen a rise in girls’ participation. Tennis has a small but growing following. And with Pakistan’s terrain-from deserts to mountains-there’s huge potential for adventure sports. But until someone builds the infrastructure, cricket will remain king.

Ask any Pakistani what their favorite sport is, and they’ll tell you cricket. Ask them why, and they’ll tell you it’s more than a game. It’s hope. It’s pride. It’s home.