World’s most version of street cricket comes to Kingsgrove with Seventh Tape Ball Cricket Cup

Tape-ball, quite simply a tennis ball wrapped in electrical tape, is probably the world’s most exciting version of street cricket.

Asim Saleem, organiser Munawar Hassan, and Nizar Dharani are gearing up for this weekend’s Seventh Tape Ball Cricket Cup. Picture: Tim Clapin

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Tape-ball, quite simply a tennis ball wrapped in electrical tape, is probably the world’s most exciting version of street cricket.

While many Australians would have grown up with backyard cricket, tape-ball is believed to have originated in Pakistan, where it has a cult-like following.

Munawar Hassan grew up playing tape-ball on the streets of Karachi and he says the sport has spread its roots to India, Bangladesh and is quickly gaining popularity here in Australia.

Now based in Roselands, Hassan is hoping to reconnect players with the game and this weekend he is holding the Seventh Tape Ball Cricket Cup in Sydney.

Hassan, who was just named Cricket Australia’s community ambassador, first held the cup in 2010.

“When I came to Australia 17 years ago I didn’t know many cricketers so I wanted to have an event that reunited players,” he said.

“In Pakistan all the cricket players used to play with tennis balls. Players like Wasim Akram and Shahid Afridi always played this format.”

The tennis balls make the game safer in crowded streets and the result is a faster, bouncier format of cricket.

The Seventh Tape Ball Cricket Cup will be held on October 3, with about 500 people attending, and Hassan said everyone is welcome to the community-based event.

The event runs from 8.30am-6.30pm at Clemton Park, Kingsgrove.