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.