Who Plays Cricket in Green? Top Teams & Facts

By Sarah Miller · April 16, 2039

Cricket is played in green kits by teams representing countries and franchises where green is part of their official colors, most notably Pakistan, Afghanistan, Ireland, and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) teams like Barbados Royals and Trinbago Knight Riders.

Why Do Some Cricket Teams Wear Green?

Green is a prominent color in cricket uniforms due to national symbolism, cultural identity, and brand differentiation. Countries with green in their flags or strong environmental associations often incorporate it into their sports kits.

Nations with Green Cricket Uniforms

Pakistan: Emerald green represents the majority Muslim population and appears on both national flag and cricket jerseys.
Afghanistan: Adopted dark green following its inclusion in the national flag, symbolizing Islam and heritage.
Ireland: Uses shamrock green to reflect national identity and Celtic roots.
West Indies: Maroon dominates, but several franchise teams use green prominently.

Franchise Leagues Featuring Green Kits

In T20 franchise leagues, green is widely used for team branding and fan engagement.

Barbados Royals (CPL): Blue and green combo inspired by ocean and vegetation.
Trinbago Knight Riders (CPL): Black, red, and green scheme mirroring NBA's Brooklyn Nets.
Gujarat Titans (IPL): Primary color is saffron, but secondary accents include green.
Lahore Qalandars (PSL): Bright green as dominant jersey color.

Historical Use of Green in Cricket

The use of green in cricket dates back to early 20th century domestic competitions. England’s county teams like Gloucestershire have long used green caps to denote membership. Over time, international teams adopted team-specific colors during limited-overs formats starting in the 1970s.

Milestones in Colored Kit Adoption

Year	Event	Teams Using Green
1975	First World Cup with colored kits	None (green not yet standardized)
1987	Relocated World Cup introduces subcontinental palettes	Pakistan introduces green uniform
2007	T20 Internationals begin	Afghanistan & Ireland adopt green post-ICC recognition
2011	IPL franchise branding peaks	Multiple teams use green as accent or primary
2024	CPL rebrands visual identity	All six teams feature green in some capacity

International Teams Wearing Green in ODI & T20I Formats (2025)
Team	Primary Kit Color	ICC Full Member	First Wore Green (ODI/T20I)	FIFA Flag Match
Pakistan	Green	Yes	1987 / 2006	Yes
Afghanistan	Dark Green	Yes	2010 / 2010	Yes
Ireland	Shamrock Green	Yes	2007 / 2008	Yes
West Indies	Maroon	Yes	1979 / 2006	No
Nepal	Blue & Red	No (Associate)	N/A	Yes
Canada	Red & White	No (Associate)	N/A	Yes
Oman	Red	No (Associate)	N/A	Yes

Table data source:ICC Official Site, ESPNcricinfo

Data shows that three ICC full-member nations—Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Ireland—officially use green as their primary kit color in limited-overs cricket. The alignment between national flags and team colors strengthens brand consistency and patriotic connection among fans.

Design and Branding Behind Green Cricket Jerseys

Modern kit design integrates performance fabric technology with symbolic color usage. Green is chosen not only for tradition but also for visibility under floodlights and psychological impact—associated with growth, balance, and energy.

Key Factors Influencing Jersey Color Selection

National flag representation
Sponsorship and logo contrast needs
Psychological effect on players and opponents
Broadcast visibility and differentiation from rivals
Commercial appeal in merchandise sales

Common Questions About Cricket Teams in Green

Which country wears green in cricket?

Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Ireland are the main international cricket-playing nations that wear green as their primary kit color in ODIs and T20Is.

Why does Pakistan wear green in cricket?

Pakistan wears green because it represents Islam—the religion of the majority of its population—and is derived from the green vertical stripe on the national flag.

Do West Indies wear green in cricket?

The West Indies team primarily wears maroon, but several CPL franchise teams from the Caribbean, such as Trinbago Knight Riders and Barbados Royals, prominently feature green in their kits.

When did cricket teams start wearing green?

Pakistan first introduced green kits during the 1987 Cricket World Cup. Ireland and Afghanistan adopted green after gaining ODI status in the 2000s.

Are there any IPL teams with green jerseys?

No current IPL team uses green as the primary jersey color, though Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings include green as an accent color in their designs.