Shayan Jahangir stepped in for skipper Monank Patel in the United States of America’s (USA) playing XI during their T20 World Cup match against India on Wednesday, June 12. However, Jahangir had an unfortunate start, being dismissed for a golden duck by Arshdeep Singh on the first ball of the innings.
Born in Karachi, the 29-year-old has played 12 ODIs and two T20Is for the USA, accumulating 356 runs, including a hundred and a half-century.
On that note, let’s delve into five interesting facts about the USA opener, Shayan Jahangir:
1. Played for Pakistan U19 Team
Shayan Jahangir was a part of the Pakistan U19 team in 2013, featuring in seven youth ODIs. During a tri-nation series involving Bangladesh and England, he scored 85 runs in four innings. His last first-class game was for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in December 2016.
2. Scouted by Barbados Tridents Owner
With limited opportunities to break into the Pakistan senior team, Jahangir moved to the USA in search of better prospects. Playing club cricket in Houston and Dallas, he caught the eye of the Texas-based owner of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) team, Barbados Tridents. Consequently, Jahangir was picked in the CPL 2020 draft but only featured in one game without getting a chance to bat.
3. Made His USA Debut in November 2022
Jahangir was initially part of a 44-man USA squad in Texas ahead of the 2021 Oman Tri-Nation Series. He eventually debuted for the USA in an ODI against Namibia in November 2022. His T20I debut followed in May 2024 against Bangladesh, where he scored 18 off 20 balls.
4. Dreamed of Playing Against Virat Kohli
Jahangir’s ultimate cricketing aspiration was to play against Virat Kohli. He achieved his first ODI century against Nepal in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier in June 2023, scoring 100 off 79 balls. After this impressive knock, he expressed his ambition to showcase his talent in front of Kohli, saying, “To play against Virat Kohli, that’s my ultimate goal. Play against him, and show there’s another batter on the block, waiting for the opportunities in all these big leagues.”
5. Represented MI New York in Major League Cricket
Jahangir was a part of the MI New York squad in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023. He scored 164 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 119.70, with a top score of 41. Notably, he played a crucial knock of 36 off 18 balls in the semi-finals, helping MI New York secure victory over the Texas Kings.
Shayan Jahangir’s journey from Pakistan U19 to representing the USA on the global stage exemplifies his dedication and passion for the game, making him a player to watch in future tournaments.
