Despite
the aggravating situation of electricity in Pakistan, the Electric tape
business has never faced recession. The reason behind it is a
surprising variation of cricket played with taped tennis ball.
Tapeball
cricket makes use of tennis ball wrapped in electrical tape. The most
common place for this type of cricket is a neighborhood street. This
variation of cricket is very popular in Pakistan and other South Asian
countries. People typically play Tapeball cricket in narrow by-lanes,
streets and parking lots. Normally, basic cricket rules are followed but
“Rules are meant to be broken” here in this variation. Customized rules
are followed as per venue and situation.
Night
Series, normally on Saturdays, are played to put some extra Bucks for
Sunday’s Hangout. Crictionary of this game is entirely different; some
typical terms are used in this variation of Cricket that may not even be
heard by Sachin, who has spent nearly a quarter of century playing
Professional Cricket. Tapiay is the synonym of Gentlemen in this
variation. Carom ball (a spin balling variation) is known as Finger
ball. Marillier Shot is coined as a slang coaching statement “Baith k pechay mar day” (Sit and Hit to back side). Rok k bhag ja refers to Short Running, so on and so forth.
Tapeball
has been integrated in a lot of Advertising Campaigns. Sometimes it is
used in defining life style of an urban guy, sometimes as brotherhood
between different ethnicity, and sometimes reflecting Nightlife of
Pakistani.
No
matter how awkward the format of this sport seem to be, I can surely
say that everyone from Boys to Men, Mullahs to Burgers, and anyone who
has tiny bit of interest in Cricket must have played Tapeball Cricket at
least once. Many professional cricketers like Shoaib Akhter, M. Yusuf,
have said on record that they have played and enjoyed this variation of
Cricket.
It
is a good news that a full-fledged Tapeball federation known as
Pakistan Tapeball Cricket Federation is under the process of getting
legally registered. Many tournaments have been organized by them and
broadcasted live on national television in the past couple of years on
regular basis. It is indicated that there is a chance for a local Tapia
to get more involved in cricket which will sooner or later provide some
gentlemen for Pakistan Cricket.
Disclaimer:
This blog is not valid for court.
This
blog is for infotainment purpose & my passion to share. No direct
financial assistance is sought from this blog. I am sharing my
experiences and learning. Your contribution will be highly appreciated.
(This post was earlier published at Awaz-e-Pakistan as Tapeball Cricket in Pakistan !!! written by myself)
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