YCF Ramadan Tapeball Cup: Late-night cricket
This year’s YCF Ramadan Tapeball Cup came with a twist: Playing after midnight.
The tapeball competition, hosted at Frame 2 Complex in Bradford’s Eastern quadrant, saw twelve teams from across the region come together for an unforgettable debut.
In past years, the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation cup, contested during Ramadan, took place in daylight hours before Iftar (fast-breaking meal). However, the Islamic calendar is based on the moon and each Ramadan gets around 10-12 days earlier (compared to the Gregorian calendar).
For March 2026 with its shorter days, a switch to a late-night edition, after consultation, meant the cricket came post-Taraweeh prayers and concluded before Suhoor.
The teams played six-a-side matches, with 25 balls each, and the format saw four groups across three pitches. Those from Harrogate, Sheffield, Hull, Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees, as well as the Oldham winners of a 2025 Christmas Day showdown at Bradford Park Avenue, showcased their skills.
For Sohail Raz, Diverse Communities Manager for Yorkshire Cricket Foundation (YCF), the event highlighted an inter-faith dynamic on and off the field: “It was about bringing people together, building community connections and learning about different faiths.”
To that end, Muslims, Hindus and Christians all socialised together when not looking to launch boundaries or flatten stumps. For some, including players from Starbeck Cricket Club of the Nidderdale League, the night-time tournament allowed a first taste of tapeball.
In the end, Mirpur Royals A defeated Oldham United in the final to lift this year’s Ramadan Tapeball Cup, watched by other teams and spectators. The cross-sports Frame 2 venue was busy overnight. The tapeball fireworks wrapped up at 3.30am, with players given food to take away and close their fast.
Azad Arif (Mirpur Royals A) said: “It worked well and allowed flexibility for all of the teams to be involved. It was really well organised and we stuck to the timing for once!”
He added: “With tapeball cricket, it can be a funny one as games are so quick and small moments play a big part. We all enjoyed the night and thankfully we won in the end.”
By John Fuller – cricketyorkshire.com
