Islamabad: Nearly half of Pakistanis express no interest in becoming professional sports players, with cricket emerging as the top choice among those interested, according to a new survey. The findings, released by Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, indicate that 46% of respondents have no aspiration to pursue a career in sports.

According to Gallup and Gilani Pakistan, the survey sampled 787 adult Pakistanis nationwide, revealing that 28% of those interested in sports would choose to become cricket players. Other sports, such as tennis, martial arts, wrestling, and gymnastics, garnered minimal interest, with preferences ranging from 4% to 2%. Additionally, 7% of respondents cited other sports as their preference, while another 7% provided no response.

The survey underscores a limited inclination towards sports careers, with cricket standing out as the primary aspiration among those interested. The study was conducted between January 15 and February 3, 2026, utilizing telephonic surveys with an estimated error margin of ± 2-3 percent at a 95% confidence level.