What Did Pakistanis Google in 2021? Cricket, of Course!

Pakistanis turned to Google more than ever in 2021, searching for everything from their favourite sports matches to trending TV shows. Cricket, unsurprisingly, continued to dominate online searches, reflecting the nation’s deep passion for the sport.

With major international tournaments, record-breaking performances, and local leagues capturing attention, Pakistan’s search trends were a testament to its cricket obsession.

Beyond sports, Pakistanis searched for top athletes, blockbuster movies, and hit dramas, showcasing a blend of entertainment and national pride.

Google’s annual search report gives a fascinating insight into what mattered most to Pakistanis in 2021.

Most Searched Topics in Pakistan (2021)

According to Google, search rankings are determined by the highest spike in interest compared to the previous year. In Pakistan, all ten of the top trending searches were related to cricket, proving yet again that the sport is the heartbeat of the nation.

Top 10 Google Searches in Pakistan (2021)

• Pakistan vs South Africa – The most searched query of the year, as Pakistan hosted South Africa after 14 years. Pakistan won its first Test series against them since 2003.
• Pakistan vs West Indies – Another much-anticipated cricket series that kept fans engaged.
• Pakistan Super League (PSL) – The country’s biggest T20 league remained a favourite topic among cricket lovers.
• Pakistan vs England – A high-stakes series that had fans glued to their screens.
• T20 World Cup – A historic tournament where Pakistan defeated India in a World Cup match for the first time.
• Pakistan vs Zimbabwe – A notable series featuring impressive performances.
• India vs England – A widely followed series showing Pakistanis’ interest in global cricket.
• Pakistan vs New Zealand – Made headlines after New Zealand cancelled their Pakistan tour at the last moment.
• Pakistan vs Australia – A traditional rivalry that always attracts significant interest.
• Pakistan vs England (again) – Demonstrating just how much cricket dominated search trends in Pakistan.

Most Searched Athletes in Pakistan (2021)

Pakistanis were not just searching for cricket matches but also their favourite players. The list of most searched athletes was entirely made up of cricketers, showing the country’s admiration for its sporting heroes.

Top 10 Most Searched Athletes

• Shoaib Malik – The most searched athlete in Pakistan, thanks to his stunning performance in the T20 World Cup and media presence alongside his wife, Sania Mirza.
• Asif Ali – Gained recognition for his match-winning sixes in crunch moments.
• Fakhar Zaman – His aggressive batting and match-winning performances kept him in the spotlight.
• Shaheen Afridi – Became a national hero after his unforgettable spell against India in the T20 World Cup.
• Hasan Ali – Despite facing challenges, his performances made headlines throughout the year.
• Mohammad Rizwan – broke records for the most T20I runs in a single year, making him a household name.
• Shadab Khan – The all-rounder remained a vital part of Pakistan’s cricket squad.
• Abid Ali – Made a name for himself with outstanding performances in Test cricket.
• Danish Aziz – A young cricketer who caught the attention of many fans.
• Haris Rauf – His incredible pace and performances in the T20 World Cup made him one of the most talked-about players.

Most Searched Movies & TV Shows in Pakistan (2021)

While cricket dominated sports searches, entertainment searches were led by both international and local content. Netflix’s Squid Game took the top spot, proving Pakistanis’ growing interest in global streaming content.

Top 10 Most Searched Movies & TV Shows

• Squid Game – The viral Korean series became a global phenomenon and was the most searched show in Pakistan.
• Khuda Aur Mohabbat – The most searched Pakistani drama, starring Feroze Khan and Iqra Aziz.
• Chupke Chupke – A lighthearted Ramadan special that captured audiences’ hearts.
• Rang Mahal – Another hit drama that kept fans engaged throughout the year.
• Radhe – The Salman Khan Bollywood movie created buzz despite mixed reviews.
• Bigg Boss 15 – A reality show that remained popular in Pakistan.
• Money Heist – The Spanish crime thriller continued to trend among Pakistani audiences.
• Ertugrul – Despite being an older release, the Turkish historical drama remained widely searched.
• Black Widow – Marvel’s superhero film was a top choice for Pakistani fans.
• Eternals – Another Marvel blockbuster that attracted significant online interest.

What Do These Trends Tell Us?

The 2021 search trends from Pakistan show that cricket keeps the population intensely driven to the sport. The people of Pakistan followed cricket news most intensely as they witnessed both Pakistan’s triumph in the T20 World Cup against India and the PSL season excitement.

Streaming entertainment options have emerged while consumers shift their entertainment choices towards variants from across the globe. Pakistanis choose to watch both international and local dramas which are evident through the popularity of Squid Game, Money Heist and Ertugrul.

Digital consumption in Pakistan will evolve in the following years in ways that remain to be seen. Sports enthusiasts wonder which competitions will capture majority viewership during 2022 beyond the dominance of cricket. Time will tell.

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