The practice of modifying tennis balls using electrical tape originated in Karachi street cricket during the 1960s, gaining popularity in neighborhoods such as Nazimabad and the Federal B. Area. This innovation was an improvement upon previous unsuccessful attempts by local bowlers, who would wet shaved tennis balls to increase their weight and skidding potential after bouncing. The introduction of tape ball cricket aimed to include individuals who lacked access to proper pitches and protective equipment while also addressing the challenges posed by skilled bowlers extracting significant spin from tennis balls.

Notably, former first-class cricketer Nadeem Moosa played a key role in developing tape ball techniques, using a unique grip by squeezing the ball between his middle finger and thumb before releasing it. However, the glossy surface of a tape ball made it difficult to maintain this unorthodox, carrom-like grip, favoring bowlers who focused on speed rather than spin. This new style of play instilled determination and resilience in emerging batsmen like Javed Miandad, who was involved in the early tape ball scene in Gazdarabad, enabling them to face even the fastest bowlers.

During the 1980s, organized tape ball cricket circuits began to emerge across Pakistan, featuring competitive games with several hundred spectators and formal rules. Tournaments such as the ‘K2 Brother Cricket Tournament’ specified the number of players, overs per side, and the use of high-quality tape from the Japanese manufacturer Netto. Hitting the ball into a house was deemed an immediate dismissal in this tournament.

The tape ball trend expanded to affluent areas such as Defence and Clifton during this period, attracting players from lower and upper classes alike. Professional tape ball players emerged, highly skilled cricketers who were hired to play for different teams in exchange for modest payments. Notably, Wasim Akram started his career as a professional tape ball player in Lahore in 1983, a year before making his test match debut.

By the early 1990s, tape ball cricket had gained popularity in nearly every city, with many of Pakistan’s national cricket team members having grown up playing the sport. The 1992 World Cup victory further fueled interest in the game, particularly among a new generation of fans who were inspired by their country’s achievement. Participating in amateur tape ball tournaments brought non-pecuniary rewards, including community respect and personal pride. Successful players were celebrated with garlands, gunfire salutes, and parades to the grounds on horseback.

Tape ball games became entrenched in Pakistan’s sporting culture, spreading to slums, mountains, and even battlefields, becoming a widespread phenomenon by the end of the 20th century. Ramzan tape ball cricket tournaments became annual celebrations held during the holy month of Ramadan. These informal tournaments, lasting from 5 to 25 overs, were often played late into the evenings, providing a brief period of recreation before daily fasting and morning prayers commenced. In 1999, Tariq Ali noted that “the gulli-danda days are over,” referring to a previously ubiquitous sport, highlighting the enduring popularity of tape ball cricket.