Amir Jangoo stepped onto the field at Warner Park on Thursday for his One-Day International (ODI) debut with dreams of making his mark.
By the end of the day, he had etched his name into West Indies cricket history, becoming only the second Caribbean batsman to score a century on ODI debut after the legendary Desmond Haynes achieved the feat in 1978 when he scored 148 from just 136 deliveries.
Jangoo’s unbeaten 83-ball 104, laced with six fours and four sixes, not only piloted the West Indies to a thrilling four-wicket win over Bangladesh but also sealed a dominant 3-0 series sweep.
For the Trinidadian, it was a moment that blended personal triumph with team success, as his innings showcased his grit, determination, and talent.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” Jangoo told journalists after the match, still savouring the high of his debut milestone.
“Scoring a century on debut is something that people only dream of. Growing up, all I wanted to do was play for the West Indies, and now that I scored a century, and on debut—it’s just an amazing feeling,” he added.
The 27-year-old’s heroics came at a critical juncture for the West Indies, who were in a bit of trouble at 86-4 chasing a challenging 322.
Though he walked into a high-pressure situation and even survived a shaky start, Jangoo showed great composure and forged a vital 132-run partnership with Keacy Carty, who contributed a stellar 95 off 88 balls. Together, they steadied the innings and turned the tide in favour of the home side.
“I just didn’t want to score a duck on debut, so getting off the mark in international cricket was an amazing feeling, and everything else flowed after that,” Jangoo stated.
“To be fair, it was a pretty good wicket. So no matter the situation of the game, I knew it was a good wicket. The head coach [Darren Sammy] came to me in the dressing room and told me how to break down my innings. All I had to do was retain the strike, score between five to six runs an over, and put away the boundaries when we got them. That’s what we did,” he shared.
Jangoo, whose innings was a masterclass in calculated aggression and confidence, also credited the partnership with Gudakesh Motie, who was also unbeaten on 44. The pair added 91 runs, ensuring there were no late stumbles.
“To be honest, I was very confident batting today (Thursday). Evvel I got past 50, I was pretty confident. The wicket was a belter…it’s a really good wicket, so kudos to the groundsmen. Unfortunately, Keacy didn’t get his hundred, but he’s such a class player and he really helped us win today as well,” the modest left-handed batsman noted.
Becoming the second West Indian to score a century on debut was a milestone Jangoo had not anticipated.
“It’s crazy. I didn’t know that stat at all, to be honest,” he said with a laugh.
“But it’s amazing. It just goes to show—dream big and work hard, and that’s what I do. Luck was on my side, too, but I’m really happy I could convert my first international innings into a hundred,” he stated.
Still, Jangoo’s performance was no accident—it was the culmination of a strong domestic season in the regional four-day competition and Super50 Cup, where he showcased consistency and form.
Those experiences he said prepared him for this moment.
“It goes to show I’ve been batting well and in good nick. Getting the call-up was great because I knew I was batting well and I was just waiting for my chance in the series, and luckily, I got it in the last game,” Jangoo ended. Sportsmax