Tapeball Cricket in Pakistan

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)