A recent national survey has revealed a surprising trend in one of Pakistan”s most cherished sports, with nearly two-thirds of the population (65%) stating they do not have a favourite Pakistani cricketer. The poll, conducted by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, indicates that among the minority who expressed a preference, cricketing legends Shahid Afridi and Imran Khan lead the list of named players.
According to a report today, among the respondents who did identify a favourite, former all-rounder Shahid Afridi was the most frequently cited choice at 10%, closely followed by the 1992 World Cup-winning captain Imran Khan at 9%. Current batting stalwart Babar Azam was named by 6% of participants.
The survey data also highlighted a notable gender disparity in responses. A significant majority of women, 73%, reported having no favourite cricketer, compared to a lower but still substantial 57% of men who gave the same answer.
Other cricketers were mentioned by 3% of those polled, while former fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was named by less than 1%. A further 7% of individuals fell into the Don’t Know/No Response category.
These results suggest that while cricket”s popularity remains high across the nation, the allegiance of fans may not be tied to individual personalities. The dominant response indicates a lack of a clear preference, with choices for a favourite player fragmented across different eras of Pakistani cricket.
The findings are based on a nationally representative telephonic survey conducted by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, the national affiliate of Gallup International. The poll engaged a sample of 787 adult men and women from both urban and rural areas across all four provinces of the country between 15 January 2026 and 03 February 2026. The study”s estimated margin of error is approximately ± 2 to 3 per cent at a 95% confidence level.