Cricket has quite a fascinating history. Having first been invented in the 1500s, the sport has endured the test of time, to stand atop as one of the most popular sports today. It was created in England, as a children’s game. However, it was quickly embraced by adults. By the late-17th century, the game was already being played competitively.
In terms of popularity, cricket stands behind only football. With over 2 billion fans around the world, cricket is hugely popular, drawing fans to the stadiums, TVs, and streams, and drawing punters to betting sites for which you could signup here.
However, certain countries seem to have greater respect for the sport than others. In this article, we are taking a look at a few countries where the sport is most popular.
The United Kingdom
We would be remised if we did not start the list with the country where cricket was born. For a long time, throughout the UK’s history, cricket dominated the sport scene. This all changed in the 20th century, when football took over the world.
While cricket can’t compete with football in the UK, it is still hugely popular. It is, after all, the country’s national sport, played and beloved by people all over the country. The English cricket team has done quite well for itself in recent history. They are currently ranked at second place in both ODI Cricket and T20 Cricket.
India
The origins of the sport are in the UK. However, in the modern era, the biggest teams, athletes, and events in the sport happen in India. Cricket is by far India’s favorite sport, with the Indian Premier League being one of the top events in the game.
Some of cricket’s greatest players have come from the country, and their national team is ranked number one in the world in T20 Cricket. The team has also done well for itself in the two other cricket categories, being ranked 4th in ODI and 2nd in Test Cricket, behind only Australia.
Australia
And speaking of Australia, we can’t make a list like this without discussing the country that produced one of the greatest cricket players of all time, Sir Donald “The Don” Bradman. One of the most iconic sportsman in Australia (and the world in general), his stats in the game are unparalleled even today.
But it isn’t just that Australia is here due to past glories. In 2022, the Australian cricket team is still tearing it up on the international scene. They are ranked 1st in Test Cricket, 3rd in ODI, and 5th in T20.
Pakistan
The popularity of cricket in South-East Asia reaches further than just India. In fact, the sport dominates the scene in most of the subcontinent. Apart from India, the country from that region which has seen the most success in the cricket world is Pakistan.
Athletes like Shahid Afridi, Wasim Akram, and Babar Azam have taken the Pakistani team to the spotlight in the cricket world. And they aren’t the only ones. Many great players active today come from Pakistan, and play for the country’s national team.
