Tape-Ball Cricket Is Back on Every Street: How to Start Your Own Team

Tape-ball cricket is the game most Pakistanis grew up with: a tennis ball wrapped in electrical tape, a light bat and a street, rooftop or park. With cooler weather, evening and weekend matches are back in full swing. Here is how to get your own team going.

What you need

• Players: 8–11 is ideal, but 6 a side works on a narrow street.
• Balls: 2–3 tape balls, so a lost ball does not stop the game. See tape balls.
• Bats: one or two light tape-ball bats. Our guide on how to choose a tape-ball cricket bat covers weight and handle size.
• Grip tape: a fresh grip makes an old bat feel new. See grip tapes.
• Wickets: proper stumps, a crate, or chalk marks on a wall.

How to tape a tennis ball

1. Start with a firm tennis ball.
2. Wrap electrical tape tightly around the middle first, then cover the rest.
3. Taping one half heavily makes the ball swing more; tape it evenly for a fair, predictable ball.
4. Re-tape when the tape starts peeling.

Simple house rules that prevent arguments

• Overs: 4–6 overs per side keeps games quick.
• Boundaries: agree which walls are a four and which are a six.
• "One tip, one hand": caught one-handed after one bounce is out (popular in street games).
• Windows and roofs: decide in advance; hitting into a house is usually out.
• Rotation: everyone bats and bowls at least once.

Play safe

Choose an open area away from traffic, avoid narrow lanes with parked cars, and keep younger children fielding at a safe distance. Hard-ball gear is not needed for tape ball, but a light pair of gloves helps against fast bowlers.

Run a mini tournament

Four teams, short matches, a simple points table and a final on the weekend is enough to make it feel special. Keep spare balls and tape at the scorer's table.

Ready to play? Get bats, balls and grips from our cricket collection, delivered free with Cash on Delivery. Moving up to club cricket later? Read up on hard balls first.