Scara Live, the live experiences division of the global sports, gaming, and culture agency Scara (https://scara.com/), has partnered with Afghanistan Tapeball Cricket to inaugurate the Tapeball Asia Cup. This event marks the first official continental tournament for Tapeball cricket, sanctioned by the International Tapeball Council, and is scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka in September 2026.
The tournament will be hosted at the Colombo Cricket Club Ground and is set to feature national teams from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Scara Live will oversee the event’s comprehensive live ecosystem, including production, broadcast operations, talent management, and digital amplification efforts.
Elevating a Grassroots Sport
Tapeball cricket, a format utilizing a tennis ball wrapped in electrical tape, originated on the streets of Karachi. It has evolved into a widely played sport across South Asia and the Middle East, known for its accessible nature and rapid pace. The Asia Cup aims to formalize this grassroots phenomenon, bringing it to an international competitive stage.
Amir Siddique, Spokesperson for the International Tapeball Council, commented on the initiative. “Tapeball represents an authentic and extensively played form of cricket, deeply ingrained in street culture. The Tapeball Asia Cup constitutes a crucial step toward formalizing and globalizing the sport. Our collaboration with Scara Live will facilitate a tournament experience aligned with contemporary audience engagement in sports – fast-paced, digitally integrated, and culturally relevant,” Siddique stated.
Sheer Rahman Khater, representing Afghanistan Tapeball Cricket, noted the significance of the event. “Hosting the inaugural Tapeball Asia Cup is a historic milestone for the sport and its expanding community. Tapeball has consistently been driven by passion and raw talent, and this tournament offers a global platform to showcase that spirit,” Khater added.
Future Implications for Tapeball Cricket
Manoj George, Founder of Scara, emphasized the broader impact of the tournament. “This event signifies a coming-of-age for Tapeball cricket. The Asia Cup celebrates a format born on the streets and elevates it to an international platform,” George said.
The launch of the Tapeball Asia Cup is expected to contribute to the professionalization of the sport. It establishes a framework for structured competitions, aiming to enhance global fan engagement and potentially pave the way for future franchise-based leagues. For more details on this and other industry developments, readers can refer to the latest sports industry news on TechnoSports (https://technosports.co.in/). The official Tapeball Asia Cup Instagram page will provide updates on teams, schedules, and broadcast details.
