"Peshawar is looking to go that one step further in this year’s PSL" : Chris Jordan

[MenInG]

The Pakistan Super League (PSL) may well be another Twenty20 tournament in the busy life of today’s truly international cricketer but if the success and prestige associated with the inaugural edition of the tournament is any guide, the second edition of the PSL is easily expected to surpass the excitement generated last year.

Quite apart from the hype and buzz associated with a high-profile tournament such as the PSL, the discerning cricket fans will also be looking forward to watching some high-quality cricket games, played by some top quality local and international players.

In this regard, one of England’s top Twenty20 talents in the shape of the twenty-eight-year-old Chris Jordan is likely to fit the bill as far as fans of cricket and especially Peshawar Zalmi are concerned.

Having represented England in twenty-two T20I games, Jordan has picked up an impressive twenty-six wickets with his best performance of 4/28 coming against Sri Lanka in the World T20 of 2016.

In the UAE to represent Peshawar Zalmi, Chris Jordan spoke exclusively to PakPassion.net where he discussed the role of Twenty20 tournaments like the PSL in the skills development of cricketers and looked forward to a successful stint with Peshawar Zalmi.

Having been picked for the Peshawar squad in the 2016 edition of the PSL, Chris Jordan was called into the England squad for the tour of South Africa and could not play any games for the Zalmis. This year, however, Jordan is eagerly looking forward to this experience and is impressed with the welcome he has received stating that, “It’s a great honour to be part of the PSL this year. I was supposed to join Zalmis last year but England duties took precedence but I am glad they decided to retain me and I will be playing for them this year. It’s all been great fun so far where I have also learnt some phrases in Pashto and URDU to say as well. All in all, the Zalmi team have been incredible as they have made me feel quite welcome and I am really looking forward to getting started with the games now.”

The lure of Twenty20 cricket has the obvious financial advantages and provides players with international exposure but as Jordan explained, it is also a great learning experience which can vastly improve players' skills.

“I have been quite fortunate to have played in a few different Twenty20 Leagues and its always refreshing to meet different players and personalities. This is interesting in itself but also helps in improving and evolving my game. What I have found since I started playing Twenty20 cricket is that I have become a little smarter in that I have added more skills to my armoury such as the slower balls. I now know much more about the ideal field-placings and when to bowl which type of ball. I am also able to study and analyse batsmen and judge their key scoring areas so yes, in about eighteen months or so of playing Twenty20 cricket, I have become much smarter as a player.”

Apart from improving a player in many aspects of his game, the advent of the modern Twenty20 leagues has also provided an unexpected bonus for the players’ respective teams that at least in Chris Jordan’s case has proved to be very useful for England as he explained, “You end up learning new skills playing with different personalities but the key thing is that you pick some new ideas. These are subtle changes in your game as the idea isn’t to change too much but to improve and add to your strengths. Of course, this helps you when you go back to your international team as it only makes your team stronger.”

A temporary home for Pakistan’s international cricket team, the UAE will also be hosting its second edition of the PSL to be played in some impressive facilities. Whilst Dubai and Sharjah may not have the reputation of some of the top venues around the world, the pitch and atmospheric conditions do represent a unique challenge for the top cricketers in the world as they take part in the PSL.

“Bowling on tracks in the UAE is all about playing smart cricket. This involves use of variety and knowing when to bowl which ball and to have the right field settings. We have to understand that Twenty20 has become a batters game so you have to bowl smarter if you wish to get anywhere. Playing in the UAE is about using your brains and taking your skills to a higher level so that under-pressure you are able to execute your plans confidently.”

Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Hafeez, Kamran Akmal are some of the big names of Pakistan cricket who will not only bring the crowds to the stadiums but could also take Zalmi to the top. Being part of such a select group of cricketers will be an amazing experience in itself for Jordan but helping the team lift the trophy will be the ultimate prize and one that he is looking forward to as he concluded, “The way they initially played last year when Peshawar Zalmi were the outstanding team in the group stages, it was disappointing that they had to bow out in the latter part of the tournament. We will definitely be looking to go that one step further in this year’s PSL. I really admired the pride and passion of everyone who played last year and I hope to become part of that environment in this edition of the PSL and help Peshawar lift the trophy.”

[Rayyman]

He is a pretty good T20 bowler. Has a great yorker. Was terrible the last time he played Pakistan though. Bowled a single over for 16 runs that gave Pak. all of the momentum. Let's see if he can bounce back from that bowling against Sharjeel and Latif in PSL 2!

[Abdullah719]

Peshawar have a solid squad, anything less than a spot in the final should be considered a disappointment.

Jordan has been a bit one-dimensional in the past so hopefully Sammy and the management realise how best to utilise him. Superb death-bowler.

[Ellipsism]

He is a pretty good T20 bowler. Has a great yorker. Was terrible the last time he played Pakistan though. Bowled a single over for 16 runs that gave Pak. all of the momentum. Let's see if he can bounce back from that bowling against Sharjeel and Latif in PSL 2!

Lol, he single handily won England a game.

[Rayyman]

Peshawar have a solid squad, anything less than a spot in the final should be considered a disappointment.

Jordan has been a bit one-dimensional in the past so hopefully Sammy and the management realise how best to utilise him. Superb death-bowler.

He's not only a bowler, can bat too. He's an all-rounder.

[Abdullah719]

He's not only a bowler, can bat too. He's an all-rounder.

Not an all-rounder but he is capable of contributing with the bat, yes.

[Rayyman]

Not an all-rounder but he is capable of contributing with the bat, yes.

Has a 1st-class 100. Would definitely be considered an all-rounder in a Pakistani league.

[Don Quixote]

PSL belongs to Zalmi, this year.

[MenInG]

No one team can claim any advantage atm - they all look patchy and seem to be looking for the perfect combo to win matches.

PZ look good as a team with Sammy looking as animated as ever which is great to see. Lala am afraid is there to pull the crowds.

Back to topic...

Jordan looks awesome when he bowls and actually quite cool to see such good bowlers in our comp. Must be a great learning experience for our batsmen

[Saj]

Decent cricketer this lad.

Good bowler, superb fielder and more than handy with the bat.

Excellent fitness levels and great attitude.

[MenInG]

Chris Jordan played his part in a remarkable night in Lahore as Peshawar Zalmi won the second edition of the Pakistan Super League in front of a packed house.

The Sussex and England man reflected on a whirlwind few days in Pakistan, and his decision to play a match many overseas players turned down.

“It was pretty surreal! Obviously from making the decision to go, we were well briefed and everything was well documented about how everything was going to run from the time we left on the plane from Dubai to the time we got back.” Said Jordan

“As soon as we landed in Lahore, we were met by military guys, escorted straight onto a bus and had a 10-minute drive to the hotel with a full escort. The road was cordoned off and no-one was on the streets - it was a bit unreal!” he added

Reflecting on trip from Hong Kong, Jordan was pleased he made the decision to travel to the final.

“I was glad I was able to be there and experience it. I’ll be able to say I played cricket in Pakistan and won the trophy. It was a brilliant experience.” Said Jordan

“The reception we got said it all. They cheered every single ball for both teams, from ball one to the last. Their passion for cricket was immense. You’re on the boundary and you have people chanting your name!”

“It was immense and I had no idea that the passion for cricket was so great in Pakistan. The crowd in Lahore were brilliant - they really made the final.”

Winning the Pakistan Super League Final required a team performance and the Sussex man was keen to praise the leadership of the Peshawar Zalmi squad and the unity within the group

“Throughout the whole tournament we’ve really been gelling as a group and our owner Javed Afridi and the captain Darren Sammy - everyone was singing from the same hymn sheet and created a very good atmosphere in the dressing room to go out and perform.”

“It didn’t matter who was playing at any time in the tournament, because I didn’t play all the games, but it was a real team effort and I really felt part of something special.”

Jordan’s accomplished T20 performances for Sussex Sharks and England have not gone unnoticed around the world. A Big Bash League contract with Adelaide Strikers this winter followed a successful overseas stint at the Indian Premier League with Royal Challengers Bangalore, who lost the IPL final in 2016.

Jordan spoke favourably about the quality of cricket on show in the torunument, and the players online:

“In terms of the standard, I think it was very high. Every single team had some high quality overseas players and also the local talent was very, very good. It’s good they had a rule that each team had to play one emerging player, so you have a youngster coming through all the time.” Said Jordan

“If you check all the overseas players you had the likes of Chris Gayle, Kieron Pollard, Kevin Pietersen, Brendon McCullum, Sunil Narine, Jason Roy, Eoin Morgan, the list goes on. The competition was very high. There were a lot of last over and last ball finishes.” He added

“There were some very exciting games and that’s what made it so competitive and a great spectacle. In comparison to all the other leagues it was right up there in terms of putting yourself in pressure situations and having to deliver for your team.”

With a number of England stars playing in the tournament, Jordan was able to enjoy pitting his wits against some familiar faces:

“It was brilliant, I had just come from India playing the T20 series with them. Eoin Morgan was on my team but playing against Jason Roy and Sam Billings and Tymal Mills and the rest was good fun. We had good fun on the field and there was a little bit of banter flying around.” Said Jordan

“It was good to see all the English guys carry on the good form they’ve had throughout the year - it can only bode well for English cricket guys going to these tournaments, playing in high pressure situations and improving their game in a short space of time.” He added.

With the English season rapidly approaching Jordan’s winter of globetrotting has moved to Hong Kong where he will take part in the T20 Blitz competition. He is however looking forward to a return to Sussex, a more experienced cricketer.

“I’ve had a brilliant winter so far. I’ve been fortunate enough to play in a couple of different leagues and experience different cultures and experience guys with different ideas and play with some real high quality players.”


“I’ve had a brilliant winter so far. I’ve been fortunate enough to play in a couple of different leagues and experience different cultures and experience guys with different ideas and play with some real high quality players.” Said Jordan

I think from that point of view my game has improved in a short space of time, from the Big Bash to going to India for the T20 series, then the PSL and now Hong Kong. I’m very much looking forward to getting back and getting started with the English summer.

https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/345041

[UN talkz]

Lahore and Karachi didn’t disappoint: Chris Jordan

England superstar pacer Chris Jordan, who toured Pakistan for the first time for Pakistan Super League (PSL), said Lahore and Karachi didn’t disappoint him.

In an interview, Jordan said, “PSL was final was very different for me. Obviously I love winning and when I lose it is not a nice feeling.” The experience was unreal, said the 29-year-old, who was part of Peshawar Zalmi in the recently concluded PSL.
“I didn’t have any impact in the game with bat, ball or field. I just wanted to win the tournament for second time and do everything to get the trophy under the belt,” he added.

Praising Pakistani fans he said, “Everyone in Pakistan were so welcoming, so loud and passionate. Going to Pakistan for the first time and second time who do I expect, but Lahore and Karachi didn’t disappoint. They were amazing and they were awesome.”

“It was quite nice to see so many kids come out in support. They may have not seen an international player in their ground. We were high profile,” he said.

“Good cricket games being played in Pakistan and to see them come out in such a huge number was amazing, because they are the next generation, they are the future. So to see them come out and support and enjoy was exceptional,” Jordan added.

“At end we couldn’t win but cricket won,” England pacer said.

https://www.brecorder.com/2018/03/31...-chris-jordan/

[MenInG]

Chris Jordan speaking to the press today

"t's a big honour to work with Wasim Akram. Obviously as a kid growing up, you see these guys on TV and even when they are doing their analysis on tv you can only dream of working with them and finally that day has come; If there is even one thing I can take from Wasim Bhai and add to my game then that would be perfect, so I am enjoying working with him and picking his brain"

"Not only was he a skilled bowler and is a top coach, but he is a top guy too"

"Arshad Iqbal is playing for a reason and we believe that his skills that he has; He is a good young bowler and has a lot of variety in his game, so we made a judgement call (about him bowling late in the innings)"

"Pakistan just keep on producing such talented cricketers, they are known more for their pace bowling as you can see from the current crop which is coming through"