Like millions of Muslims worldwide, Trinidadian cricketer Amir Jangoo faithfully observes Ramadan, the holy month when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, abstain from worldly pleasures, and increase their devotion to Allah through prayer and charity.
_DSC7402
Three months after scoring his maiden ODI century on debut—becoming only the second West Indian to achieve this—27-year-old Jangoo and his Trinidad and Tobago Red Force teammates are battling for glory in the West Indies Championship.
While the competition presents new challenges and expectations, Jangoo, his Trinidadian teammates, and his Muslim brethren see high-level competition as an opportunity to draw strength from their devotion and self-discipline while competing against the region’s best players.
_DSC7514
“Basically, it’s the month when the Quran was revealed,” Jangoo explained.
“It’s all about sacrificing, not eating food or having any drink, and abstaining from a lot of things from the outside world. It’s a month of a lot of prayer and blessings. It’s one of the best months of the year for me, and I really look forward to it.”
The wicketkeeper-batsman acknowledged the physical challenges and has discovered practical solutions.
“Obviously, it is difficult physically,” Jangoo admitted. “When I have games, I don’t fast due to the high temperatures we play in and the need to stay on the field for long periods.”
“If you know you’re going to train hard and be in the sun for a long period of time, hydration is very important the night before, and eating a very good meal with complex carbs and a lot of protein as well.”
Islamic teachings provide flexibility for those whose health might be compromised, allowing them to make up fasting days later or give to charity instead.
Rather than hindering his performance, Jangoo has found that Ramadan enhances his mental clarity.
DSC09146
“It actually gets me more in a proper zone. I focus and lock in on my training. It helps me as well—spiritually, physically, and mentally—and gets me stronger.”
The evidence speaks for itself. During last year’s Ramadan, Jangoo scored his maiden first-class double century against Combined Campuses and Colleges after making 93 against Barbados Pride.
This year has already brought a half-century against Barbados in a commanding two-day victory at Kensington Oval.
“We played against Barbados last year during the month of Ramadan as well. We were in some difficult situations batting, and I zoned in so good I got a good score,” Jangoo recalled.
“On Eid last year, I scored my double century, so I don’t think it’s a coincidence. It was probably all the hard work that I did during the month of fasting and praying—I got the reward in the end, thanks to Allah.”
DSC00353
Jangoo is not alone in his observance, with Red Force head coach Rayad Emrit also practicing the faith.
His non-Muslim teammates have embraced the cultural exchange in a fun and inclusive way, thereby creating a supportive environment.
“The rest of my team members respect the religion. They always ask me if I prayed for the day and stuff like that, they always keep me on my toes. It’s amazing to see how they embrace it, and they ask so many questions as well. I love that about the team culture that we have,” Jangoo said.
For Jangoo and other Muslim athletes, Ramadan isn’t just a time of sacrifice. While it’s a period that requires dedication and discipline, the positive side effects include mental clarity, team unity, and sometimes, improved performance on the cricket field.
