In-form Amir Jangoo targets Super50 success with T&T Red Force

By Sports Desk October 26, 2024
JANGOO...I really want to play the best for the team, whether it's keeping wicket or batting at the top or middle of the order. JANGOO...I really want to play the best for the team, whether it's keeping wicket or batting at the top or middle of the order.

After missing out on selection for last year’s Cricket West Indies Regional Super50, Amir Jangoo is not only happy to be included in Trinidad and Tobago’s squad for this year’s edition of the tournament, but he is also aiming to make the most of the opportunity.

The wicketkeeper/batsman, who has been enjoying a rich vein of form so far this year, has his sights set on maintaining that positive run to assist Trinidad and Tobago Red Force defend their title in the October 29 to November 23 tournament.

Jangoo tallied 500 runs for the Red Force in five regional four-day matches earlier this year, as he ended as the Twin Island Republic’s leading run scorer and the fourth-highest scorer in the competition. He was only bettered by Mikyle Louis (682 runs), Kraigg Brathwaite (565), and Kevin Sinclair (508).

The 27-year-old Jangoo, who also notched a maiden First-Class hundred during that tournament when he scored 218 against the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) Marooners, was named the TT Cricket Board's (TTCB) National Cricketer of the Year earlier this month, a feat that has significantly boosted his confidence.

“Getting the award is just the beginning. It's basically a foundation for bigger things I want to achieve, like making the West Indies team. At this level, it's all about consistency, so I'm looking forward to the Super50 tournament, and I want to dominate that, as well as the upcoming four-day season next year," Jangoo told Newsday in a recent interview.

“I want to really push and go on to better things. I'll definitely say I'm in the best form of my life. It's all about how well you can develop your game and how quickly as well. Being 27, I've learnt a lot, and I'm in a pretty good space in my career right now,” he added.

Jangoo attributed his improvements to advice from compatriot and West Indies wicketkeeper/batsman Nicholas Pooran.

"Pooran did some one-on-one work with us batsmen, and I think that actually helped me to understand my game a bit more. I actually just kept working on certain things with my technique. It was all about batting for longer periods of time and doing the right things for longer. That's what I really worked on,” Jangoo shared.

With Pooran’s advice still fresh in his mind, the left-hander pointed out that he is locked in and ready to go as Trinidad and Tobago Red Force is set to open their campaign against the Marooners on Tuesday.

“I really want to play the best for the team, whether it's keeping wicket or batting at the top or middle of the order. It's about adapting my game to the team's benefit,” he declared.

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    This victory propelled the Pride—who last tasted glory in the 2016-17 season and reached their last final in 2017-18—into contention for their seventh title.

    Scores: Barbados Pride 339-7 (50 overs); Trinidad and Tobago Red Force 186 all out (36.3 overs)

    After being sent in to bat, the Pride’s openers, Zachary McCaskie and Leniko Boucher, laid the foundation with a scintillating 142-run partnership. McCaskie, the more aggressive of the pair, entertained with a blistering 94 off just 82 deliveries, smashing six boundaries and six towering sixes.

    However, his departure, courtesy of Mark Deyal, did little to disrupt the Pride’s momentum. 

    This, as Captain Raymond Reifer joined the fray with a brisk 65 and added another crucial 50-run stand with Boucher, who contributed a steady 69 off 84 balls in a knock that had seven boundaries. Reifer's 60-ball knock, which included six fours and a six, epitomized controlled aggression that applied further pressure to the Red Force bowlers.

    Even when Boucher fell to Deyal and Kevin Wickham (14) went to spinner Khary Pierre, Reifer, and Roston Chase (43), on return from West Indies duties, added another 50 for the fourth wicket.

    Chase’s quick-fire 31-ball knock, which had only two fours and a six, ensured the Pride capitalized on the foundation laid by the top order.

    Reifer eventually became Deyal’s third scalp, and Chase went to Shannon Gabriel, but the damage was already done as the Pride were at 297-5 at that point. The lower order contributed the remaining runs to the daunting total.

    Deyal stood out for the Red Force with figures of 4-53, but his efforts were insufficient to stem the tide.

    Facing a mountain of runs, the Red Force faltered early and never recovered. The only bright spot in their reply was a 68-run second wicket partnership between Tion Webster and Amir Jangoo (16). Webster’s aggressive 56 off 47 balls, which featured eight boundaries and a six, gave fleeting hope before he became the fourth wicket to fall with the score at 91.

    After Webster’s dismissal, Deyal (34) and Isiah Rajah (28) added a brief 53-run stand for the seventh wicket, but the Red Force were ultimately bowled out for a paltry 186 in just 36.3 overs. 

    Dominic Drakes led the Pride’s bowling charge with 3-24, with Chase (2-40) and Kemar Smith (2-42) also doing some damage. 

    The Pride’s dominance sets up a highly anticipated final against the winner of the Jamaica Scorpions versus Leeward Islands Hurricanes semi-final, scheduled for Thursday.

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    “This series is about putting everything together from the last year and a half and ending the year in good form,” he declared.

    That said, the Jamaican highlighted the importance of fan support, especially during the festive season. Cricket remains a unifying force in the Caribbean, and Coley hopes that fans will rally behind the team.

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    The tournament, featuring five teams—Guyana Amazon Warriors, Hampshire Hawks, Lahore Qalandars, Rangpur Riders, and Victoria—kicks off on Tuesday, 26 November 2024.

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    Ticket holders for the affected matches can still use their existing tickets for entry. Those unable to attend the rescheduled games will be eligible for a full refund.

    Revised Schedule for the 2024 Global Super League
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    29 November, 7:00 PM: Guyana Amazon Warriors vs Victoria
    30 November, 10:00 AM: Hampshire Hawks vs Lahore Qalandars
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