Amir Jangoo achieved a remarkable feat on Friday (December 13) as he scored an unbeaten century on his ODI debut against Bangladesh at Warner Park Stadium in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. Jangoo’s innings of 104* off 83 balls was instrumental in helping the West Indies chase down a challenging total of 322, marking the highest successful chase ever at the venue. This stunning debut performance not only secured a vital win for the West Indies but also earned Jangoo a place in cricketing history.
At 27 years old, Jangoo became only the second West Indies men's cricketer to score a century on his ODI debut, following in the footsteps of legendary opener Desmond Haynes. Haynes had set the bar high with a stunning 148 off 136 balls against Australia in Antigua back in February 1978. Jangoo’s achievement came 46 years after Haynes' iconic debut century, making it an extraordinary moment for West Indies cricket.
Jangoo’s century played a pivotal role in West Indies' dominant performance in the third ODI, which saw them complete a clean sweep over Bangladesh in the three-match series. His composed and aggressive knock helped guide the team to victory with more than four overs to spare, a feat that highlighted his temperament and skill under pressure. This win also marked a significant achievement for the West Indies, who chased down 321/5 with relative ease, thanks to Jangoo’s brilliance.
In addition to joining Haynes as one of the only two West Indies players to score a century on ODI debut, Jangoo now belongs to an exclusive club of cricketers who have achieved this feat in ODI history. Other notable players in this list include India’s KL Rahul, Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and South Africa’s Temba Bavuma, who have all scored centuries in their first ODI appearance in recent years.
Here’s a look at the full list of cricketers who have scored a century on their ODI debut:
- Dennis Amiss (England) – 103 off 134 balls vs Australia, Manchester (1972)
- Desmond Haynes (West Indies) – 148 off 136 balls vs Australia, Antigua (1978)
- Andy Flower (Zimbabwe) – 115* off 152 balls vs Sri Lanka, New Plymouth (1992)
- Saleem Elahi (Pakistan) – 102* off 133 balls vs Sri Lanka, Gujranwala (1995)
- Martin Guptill (New Zealand) – 122* off 135 balls vs West Indies, Auckland (2009)
- Colin Ingram (South Africa) – 124 off 126 balls vs Zimbabwe, Bloemfontein (2010)
- Rob Nicol (New Zealand) – 108* off 131 balls vs Zimbabwe, Harare (2011)
- Phillip Hughes (Australia) – 112 off 129 balls vs Sri Lanka, Melbourne (2013)
- Michael Lumb (England) – 106 off 117 balls vs West Indies, North Sound (2014)
- Mark Chapman (Hong Kong) – 124* off 116 balls vs UAE, Dubai (2015)
- KL Rahul (India) – 100* off 115 balls vs Zimbabwe, Harare (2016)
- Temba Bavuma (South Africa) – 113 off 123 balls vs Ireland, Benoni (2016)
- Imam Ul Haq (Pakistan) – 100 off 125 balls vs Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi (2017)
- Reeza Hendricks (South Africa) – 102 off 89 balls vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele (2018)
- Abid Ali (Pakistan) – 112 off 119 balls vs Australia, Dubai (2019)
- Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Afghanistan) – 127 off 127 balls vs Ireland, Abu Dhabi (2021)
- Michael English (Scotland) – 107 off 122 balls vs Namibia, Dundee (2024)
- Amir Jangoo (West Indies) – 104* off 83 balls vs Bangladesh, Basseterre (2024)
After the game, Jangoo expressed his disbelief at the achievement, saying, "It is surreal. It’s an amazing feeling, and I have put in a lot of hard work, and it’s finally paying off." His performance was a testament to his hard work and determination, as he has long been seen as one of the promising young talents in West Indies cricket.
Jangoo’s match-winning knock was not just about the runs he scored but also about how he paced his innings. With the West Indies chasing a steep total, Jangoo displayed excellent temperament, mixing aggressive strokes with calculated shot selection. His quick-fire century helped the West Indies accelerate during the middle overs, and his unbeaten innings ensured that they reached the target with over four overs remaining.
In addition to Jangoo’s personal achievement, the match also served as a perfect ending to the series, with the West Indies completing a clean sweep of Bangladesh, securing a 3-0 victory. The West Indies team will now look to build on this momentum as they prepare for upcoming challenges in international cricket.
Conclusion
Amir Jangoo’s century on ODI debut will go down in history as one of the most memorable moments for West Indies cricket. His place among cricketing legends, alongside Desmond Haynes, adds another chapter to the rich legacy of West Indies cricket. As Jangoo’s career continues to rise, his achievement will inspire future generations of cricketers and add to the excitement surrounding the West Indies' resurgence in world cricket.
