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Jun 20, 20261
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Shayan Jahangir Finally Delivers in MLC Season 4 After Years of Promise
Shayan Jahangir scored a breakthrough 78 off 42 balls, his maiden MLC half-century, in Season 4's opening night against Texas Super Kings, capping a dramatic recent rise that has seen him move from overlooked promise to a recognised force in international T20 cricket.
Quick Facts
Who
Shayan Jahangir
What
Scored 78 off 42 balls in MLC Season 4 opening night
When
MLC Season 4 opening night (2026)
Where
Major League Cricket venue (USA)
- Scored 78 off 42 balls in MLC Season 4 opening night
- Registered maiden MLC half-century
- Launched four successive deliveries into the stands
- Hit one-handed six
- Previously played in ILT20 for Dubai Capitals
Shayan Jahangir produced a breakthrough performance for Major League Cricket's opening night of Season 4, scoring 78 off 42 balls—his maiden half-century in the league—in a dominant display against Texas Super Kings. The 33-year-old American batter, who had been under pressure alongside opening partner Monank Patel to raise the standard of domestic players in the league, finally delivered the defining innings that had eluded him through three previous seasons.
Jahangir's aggressive approach was characteristic of his playing style. Partnering with Tim Seifert, he took control during the 14th over when bowler Mohammad Mohsin fell victim to his onslaught, launching four successive deliveries into the stands with a one-handed six among the highlights. His assault energised the crowd and teammates alike, transforming a venue lacking opening-night buzz into an electric atmosphere.
The performance caps a remarkable recent ascent for Jahangir, whose highest MLC score had been just 43 across 19 previous innings. Recognition from the Delhi Capitals, co-owners of the Seattle Orcas, led to his selection for their Dubai Capitals side in the ILT20 league, where he produced electrifying knocks including a blistering 99 against Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and finished among the tournament's leading run-scorers. He carried this momentum into the T20 World Cup, where he announced himself with a stroke-filled 49 against Pakistan.
Jahangir's journey to success represents an unlikely path. Raised in Karachi's competitive cricketing culture, he once represented Pakistan at under-19 level and earned selection accolades, including a match-winning 85 off 70 balls against England in a tri-series. However, he was surprisingly overlooked for the Under-19 World Cup final squad, leading to his eventual transition from Pakistan's system to cricket in the United States, where he established himself as a key figure for the American team.
Why This Matters
Jahangir's breakthrough performance signals a significant shift in Major League Cricket's domestic player development strategy. After three seasons of underperformance, his 78-run innings demonstrates that patient investment in American cricketers can yield international-standard talent, validating the league's core mission. For fans and stakeholders, this success story—built on recent exposure in ILT20 and the T20 World Cup—proves that alternative pathways outside traditional cricket nations can produce competitive players, potentially attracting more global investment and talent migration to MLC.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 20, 2026
WireJahangir scores breakthrough 78 off 42 balls—his maiden MLC half-century—on opening night of MLC Season 4 against Texas Super Kings