"When I was in 10th class, I used to take 10 rupees per match" - Wasim Akram on tape-ball cricket in Pakistan [SK Match ki Baat Exclusive]

Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram shed light on how serious a sport tape-ball cricket is in Pakistan. The players cover a large portion of the tennis ball with a tape and then play tournaments as the ball swings both ways.

Akram revealed that even he used to play tape-ball cricket in his formative years as a cricketer. He opened up on the match fees that he used to get and how he used to fit his monthly expenses in all of it in his teenage.

Speaking to Sportskeeda's SK Match ki Baat, here's what Wasim Akram had to say about tape-ball cricket in Pakistan:

"I have played a lot of tape-ball cricket when I was young. When I was in 10th class, I used to take 10 rupees per match. It was big deal back then as I used to get two hundred rupees per month in which I had to also put petrol in my bike. It was four rupees per litre back then."

Wasim Akram revealed that he also played tape-ball cricket in his home's backyard with his brother.

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Wasim Akram on where tape-ball cricket is predominantly played

Wasim Akram claimed that professional tape-ball players charge lakhs of rupees and play in proper tournaments arranged in the tier-2 cities in Pakistan. He also took names of a few famous tape-ball cricketers, stating:

"Tape-ball cricket is a big deal in Pakistan, especially in cities and there are professional who earn a livelihood through these tournaments. Players like Taimur, Nadeem, etc. take 25-30 lakh rupees per tournament. They have special techniques for these tournaments and these tournaments take place in Tier 2 cities with packed houses watching the game under the lights in the night."

Akram shed light on how tape-ball cricket is a big occasion in Islamic countries especially during the month of Ramzan where it is played all night.

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