COLUMBUS: A magnificent Tape Ball Premier League was held at the TP River Ground in Columbus, Ohio, organized by FCC. Afghan Stars CC and Black Panthers jointly declare winner of Tape Ball Cricket Premier League 2026.
Various teams participated in this major tape ball cricket event and the fans got to see one thrilling match after another.
A total of 12 teams participated in the tournament, which were divided into 3 groups in the initial stage. 4 teams from each group played matches against each other, after which the path to the next stage was opened for the teams that performed best.
Two teams directly qualified for the semi-finals, while a qualifying round was played between the other four teams, after which two more teams made it to the semi-finals.
In the first quarter-final, Afghan Stars CC and Fighters CC faced each other. Batting first, Fighters CC scored 86 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in the allotted 6 overs. Moazzam Shah played a remarkable innings of 34 runs in just 17 balls for Fighters.
Afghan Stars achieved the target by scoring 91 runs in just 3.2 overs and won by 7 wickets. The main character of this success was captain Zaheer Safi, who played a brilliant innings of 69 runs in just 16 balls.
In the second quarter-final, DUCC and BCC teams faced each other. DUCC captain Akash batted aggressively and scored 56 runs in just 13 balls, thanks to which DUCC scored 98 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in 6 overs.
In reply, BCC team could score 70 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in the stipulated overs. Saurabh played a good innings of 41 runs in 12 balls, however, he could not lead his team to victory. Thus, DUCC won by 28 runs and made it to the semi-finals.
In the semi-final, Afghan Stars CC faced Afghan CC. Batting first, Afghan Stars scored a huge score of 130 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in just 6 overs. Zaheer Safi was once again outstanding and scored 64 runs in just 18 balls, while Mohammad Aimal Safi played an important role in the team’s big score by scoring 38 runs in 12 balls. Chasing a target of 130 runs, Afghan CC’s batting could not last long and the entire team was bowled out for 79 runs in 5.4 overs. Afghan Stars won by a huge margin of 51 runs and booked their ticket to the final.
In the second semi-final, Black Panthers and DUCC were to take the field. However, the match could not take place due to the walkout of the DUCC team and Black Panthers qualified for the final without playing a match. Thus, in the final, on one side, Afghan Stars had a dangerous batting lineup, while on the other hand, the Black Panthers team was ready for the title.
Afghan Stars once again demonstrated aggressive batting. In just 5 overs, Afghan Stars scored 88 runs without any loss. Once again, all eyes were on captain Zaheer Safi, who proved his class in the final by scoring an unbeaten 60 runs in just 23 balls. But the Black Panthers’ innings had just begun when the weather interfered with the game. Black Panthers had scored one run in just 0.1 over when the lights on the ground dimmed.
The match had to be stopped due to bad light. Despite a long wait, when the game could not be resumed, the tournament administration decided to declare both the finalist teams as joint champions in case the match was not completed. Thus, Afghan Stars CC and Black Panthers FCC became the joint champions of the Tape Ball Premier League 2026.
If any player of this tournament has to be highlighted, it is undoubtedly Afghan Stars captain Zaheer Safi. Zaheer Safi won the Man of the Match award in all three matches including the quarter-final, semi-final and final.
His aggressive batting not only played a significant role in taking Afghan Stars to the final but he emerged as the most prominent player of the tournament, scoring a total of 325 runs and hitting 48 sixes.
The special guest of this grand event was Abdullah Ansar Barsa, Groveport City Council Member and CEO of Barsa Group of Companies.
The event was supported by prominent local sponsors including Khan Express LLC and Halal Gyro Express.
A large number of spectators participated in the tournament and enjoyed the cricket matches with great enthusiasm. On this occasion, the chief guest, sponsors, organizers and spectators had an exclusive conversation with Voice of South Asia, in which all the personalities expressed their welcome thoughts while appreciating the organization of this healthy activity.
The spectators present at the ground enjoyed the fours, sixes and thrilling moments in the FCC Tap Ball Premier League 2026 while the players continued to be encouraged.
This event was also considered important in terms of bringing the community together on one platform and promoting healthy activities along with the game.
The tournament administration made excellent arrangements for delicious food, cold water and drinks for all the guests, participating teams and fans, which the participants and guests appreciated generously and called the event a great success.
Thus, the FCC Tap Ball Premier League 2026 ended with brilliant cricket action and full participation of fans. Low light in the final definitely stopped the decision of the game, but the fans got two winners. Afghan Stars CC and Black Panthers.
