Amir Jordan recently competed in the ongoing WWE UK Championship tournament, becoming the second Pakistani to compete in WWE. He originally hails from the North Nazimabad in Karachi and previously worked as a banker before entering the world of professional wrestling.

Jordan, whose real name is Bilal Ansari, spoke with The Express Tribune about his journey into pro-wrestling and his ambition to become an international performer. Spending his early years in Pakistan, Jordan’s family moved to the UK when he was four. Although he came back to the motherland for schooling, he has spent most of his formative years abroad.

“I became a fan of pro-wrestling because of my grandmother. She didn’t understand what they talked about because of the language barrier but appreciated the performances. I think this is how I realised the beauty of wrestling,” revealed the wrestler. “It doesn’t matter what language you speak. This art form has its own universal language so people connect with it all over.”

A few years into banking, Jordan had a “eureka moment” and decided he “didn’t want to spend life on an office desk.” He then trained under one of the most respected names in the industry, veteran wrestler himself Lance Storm and Marty Jones.

Jordan’s philosophy, is to entertain and thus came his gimmick as a bhangra dancer. Talking about why he chose the dance style as his persona, despite several other South Asian performers doing the same, he said, “Don’t we do bhangra in our wedding celebrations? I’ve seen it everywhere in Pakistan. And as entertainers, we have to give our audience a taste of something familiar.”

He continued, “As a Pakistani-British, I want to represent Pakistanis everywhere. In wrestling, I want to portray Pakistanis and Muslims positively. So, with this friendly and fun persona, people enjoy themselves.”

The Pakistani star describes his wrestling style as a mix of high-flying and traditional British. In the WWE UK tournament, he faced Zack Gibson in a losing effort in the first round. However, his match was well-received by the live audience. Even though Jordan came up short, it’s a big victory for him to have competed for WWE. He described the experience saying, “It’s a totally different atmosphere. In the independent circuit, you are mostly on your own but WWE treats you like a star. They take care of everyone.”

Jordan is not wrong. In fact, just a couple of days ago, WWE announced their own full-fledged NXT UK brand with separate championships. British performers such as Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate, Danny Burch, Trent Seven and others have been slowly making their names in NXT as well.

So what’s next for Jordan? Without clarifying whether WWE has offered him a contract or not, he said he would very much like to be a part of the UK brand. “Everyone’s goal is to be in the main event of WrestleMania or win the WWE Championship but I want to take it one step at a time. Right now, I want to join NXT UK brand and be the next UK Champion.”

Jordan’s participation marks a small but significant milestone for Pakistanis across the world. With WWE expanding their global brand with a new UK division, their recent Greatest Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia, upcoming Super Show-Down event in Australia, and a growing number of international performers on the roster, the day may not be far when we see WWE make their presence known in Pakistan. What does Jordan think of it? He cites the ‘never say never’ motto of WWE and says, “Anything can happen.”

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Pakistan team is set to play 164 international fixtures including 63 T20Is, 61 ODIs and 40 Tests during the course of 5 years with no bilateral series planned against India due to the political tensions between the neighbours.

The inaugural Test Championship is also planned from July 2019 to April 2021 wherein Pakistan will be playing 6 series on home and away basis. Top 2 teams will progress to the final.

Similarly, a 13-team ODI Championship will run from May 2020 to March 2022, in which Pakistan will play 8 series on home and away basis. Top 7 teams will qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, while the remaining sides will contest in the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier.

Below is the year-wise plan for Sarfaraz’s men.

2018

Pakistan Tour to Zimbabwe – July 

Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Australia T20I Tri-series

Pakistan Zimbabwe ODI Series (5 ODIs)

Asia Cup – September

Home Series vs New Zealand – October-November

3 Tests, 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs

Pakistan Tour to South Africa – December-February

3 Tests, 3 T20Is and 5 ODIs

2019

Home Series vs Australia – March

5 ODIs

Pakistan Tour to England – May

One-off T20I and 5 ODIs

ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 – June-July

Home Series vs Sri Lanka – October

2 Tests

Pakistan Tour to Australia – October-November

2 Tests and 3 T20Is

Home Series vs Sri Lanka – December

3 T20Is and 3 ODIs

2020

Home Series vs Bangladesh – January-February

2 Tests and 3 T20Is

Home series vs the Netherlands – July

3 ODIs

Home Series vs England and Ireland – July-August

3 Tests and 3 T20Is (vs England), 2 T20Is (vs Ireland)

Asia Cup – September

Pakistan Tour to South Africa – October

3 T20Is and 3 ODIs

ICC World Twenty20 2020 – October-November

Home Series vs Zimbabwe – November-December

3 T20Is and 3 ODIs

Pakistan Tour to New Zealand – December-January

2 Tests and 3 T20Is

2021

Home Series vs South Africa – January-February 

2 Tests and 3 T20Is

Pakistan Tour to Zimbabwe – April

2 Tests and 3 T20Is

World Test Championship Final – June

Pakistan Tour to England – July

3 T20Is and 3 ODIs

Pakistan Tour to the West Indies – July-August

3 Tests and 3 T20Is

Away Series vs Afghanistan – September

3 ODIs

 Home Series vs New Zealand – October

3 T20Is and 3 ODIs

ICC World Twenty20 2021 – October-November

Pakistan Tour to Bangladesh – November-December

2 Tests and 3 T20Is

Home Series vs the West Indies – December

3 T20Is and 3 ODIs

2022

Home Series vs Australia – February-March

2 Tests, 3 T20Is and 3 ODIs

Pakistan Tour to Sri Lanka – July-August

2 Tests and 3 ODIs

Asia Cup – September

Home Series vs England – October

5 ODIs

Home Series vs New Zealand – October-November

2 Tests and 3 ODIs

Home Series vs England – December

3 Tests

2023

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 – February-March

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The board’s national selection committee headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq after consultation with captain Sarfraz Ahmed and coach Mickey Arthur made the announcement.

The triangular series will take place from July 1 to July 8, 2018, whereas the five-match ODI series against Zimbabwe will commence from July 13, 2018.

The ODIs have been scheduled at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo on July 13, 16, 18, 20 and 22, 2018, respectively.

Sahibzada Farhan has been selected in the T-20I squad, whereas Mohammad Hafeez has selected in both T-20I and ODI squad, and will be available as an all-rounder after his bowling action was cleared.

Furthermore, Asif Ali has been included in the ODI squad to strengthen the lower middle order while Junaid Khan and Yasir Shah makes a comeback in the ODI squad after getting fit from the injury.

Babar Azam was not considered for T20s because he is recovering from injury and as per medical staff, but is hoped he would be fit for ODIs.

The team camp will be from June 25- 27 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The team will depart for Zimbabwe on June 28, 2018.

T-20 squad for Triangular Series

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Muhammad Hafeez
3. Shoaib Malik
4. Asif Ali
5. Hussain Talat
6. Sarfraz Ahmad (Captain – WK)
7. Harris Sohail
8. Shadab Khan
9. Muhammad Nawaz
10. Faheem Ashraf
11. Hassan Ali
12. Muhammad Amir
13. Usman Khan Shinwari
14. Shaheen Shah Afridi
15. Sahibzada Farhan

ODI Squad for Zimbabwe series

1. Fakhar Zaman
2. Imam ul Haq
3. Muhammad Hafeez
4. Shoaib Malik
5. Baber Azam (Subject to Fitness)
6. Asif Ali
7. Sarfraz Ahmed (Captain – WK)
8. Muhammad Nawaz
9. Shadab Khan
10. Faheem Ashraf
11. Muhammad Amir
12. Junaid Khan
13. Usman Khan Shinwari
14. Yasir Shah
15. Hassan Ali
16. Harris Sohail

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“Our anti corruption unit will look into the matter after listening Umar’s point of view”,said a spokesman of the PCB while talking to APP here on Monday. Umar in a recent TV interview claimed that he was approached by bookmakers on a number of occasions for corrupt practices.

The batsman went on claiming that he was offered money to skip matches against India. “Whenever I played a match against India I was offered money not to play but I always had same answer to match fixers that I want to play for my country”, said Umar. Umar also revealed that he was offered US dollars 200,000 by the match fixers to leave two balls in a match of the 2015 World Cup.

But the batsman who is not part of the Pak team for over a year,did not reveal that he informed the team management and the PCB anti corruption unit about all such approaches by the fixers. As per ICC rules and regulations a player is bound to bring into the knowledge of the team management all such information regarding offers made by the match or spot fixers for carrying out corrupt practices.

Umar can land into trouble as concealing such information itself is liable to punishment. According to ICC anti-corruption code 2.4.4 and 2.4.5, players are bound to report all the corrupt approaches made to them during any event and failure in doing so carry a minimum punishment of five years. Pakistan’s medium pacer,Muhammad Irfan was banned and fined for a similar offense in a spot fixing case. Meanwhile,the International Cricket Council has also launched an investigation into the matter and has expressed desire to speak to Umar.

“The ICC is aware of a recent interview given by Umar Akmal. Whilst we note that there is no suggestion that any ‘fix’ actually took place,the ICC is reliant on players to report any corrupt approaches in timely manner,” said an ICC spokesman,adding,”This is critical to our efforts to gather information on potential fixers and to disrupt and prevent their efforts to corrupt the game. As such we are taking Umar’s comments very seriously. We have launched an investigation and wish to speak to Mr Akmal as matter of urgency”. He said the ICC anti corruption unit is committed to upholding integrity in cricket world and urged that anyone with any information must contact them.

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Federer was denied a 10th title in the German grasscourt tournament as Croatian Coric handed the 36-year-old his first setback on an otherwise serene road towards defending his Wimbledon title.

The defeat meant that Rafa Nadal will return to the top of the world rankings on Monday.

World number 34 Coric, playing in his first grasscourt final, showed great mental toughness and determination to fend off two set points before clinching the opening set after 57 minutes.

Federer responded by applying further pressure on Coric’s serve in the second set before converting a break point in the eighth game to force a decider.

The 21-year-old then broke Federer in the sixth game of the final set when the Swiss sliced a backhand long, before claiming only his second ATP title.

It was Federer’s first defeat on grass since a second-round loss to German Tommy Haas at Stuttgart in June last year.

He also remains two matches away from matching Jimmy Connors’ all-time record of 174 victories on the surface as he missed out on a 99th career title.

“Many congratulations Borna for your first grass title,” Federer said in the post-match presentation. “You played a wonderful match and deserved to win at the end.”

Coric is projected to rise to a new career-high 21st in the world rankings next week after collecting wins over the tournament’s top two seeds, Federer and Alexander Zverev.

Federer, who lifted the Stuttgart title last week, will be bidding for a record-extending ninth men’s singles crown at Wimbledon, which begins on July 2.

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The top two teams in each group go into the last 16. In the case of teams finishing level on points, FIFA has put in place seven tie-breakers starting with goal difference and then the number of goals scored in all group matches.

If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above three criteria, their rankings are determined as follows:

* points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned;

* goal difference in the group matches between the teams concerned;

* number of goals scored in the group matches between the teams concerned;

* fair play points determined by red and yellow cards at the tournament.

* drawing of lots.

Here is where things stand in each group going into final round-robin matches.

Group A

Russia and Uruguay are through and all that is left to decide is who will top the group when they meet on Monday. Russia has a superior goal difference so a win or draw will send the hosts through as group winners to face the runner-up in Group B.

Neither Egypt nor Saudi Arabia have any points but with the Saudis shipping six goals, anything but a win will see them finish last.

Group B

Spain and Portugal sit top of the group on four points with Iran on three and Morocco eliminated with no points so far.

Spain and Portugal are also level on goal difference and goals scored and, since they drew, if their final results are the same the group could be decided by fair play points.

Spain has the advantage at the moment with one booking against the two of Portugal.

Portugal needs at least a point from their final match against Iran to guarantee a place in the knockout round. Iran would secure their spot with a win and could also go through with a draw if Spain loses to Morocco.

Spain faces winless Morocco with a point needed to guarantee progress.

The winner of Group B plays the runner-up in Group A, either Russia or Uruguay.

Group C

France, on six points, tops the group and have secured passage to the next round but will need a point against second-placed Denmark (four points) in their final match to clinch first place. Denmark could finish first, second or third.

A Denmark loss coupled with an Australia win over Peru, who have yet to earn a point, could see the Socceroos sneak through on goal difference. Since Denmark and Australia drew, they too could be split by fair play.

Australia, with three yellow cards, currently have the edge in this respect on the Danes, who have four.

Peru has been eliminated but will finish third with a win.

The winner of Group C will meet second place in Group D.

Group D

All sorts of outcomes are possible here with Croatia, on six points, through but the other three teams still in the hunt.

Croatia will top the group if they beat or draw with Iceland.

Nigeria, on three points, will secure their spot in the last 16 with a victory over Argentina, who sit bottom of the group on one point behind Iceland on goal difference.

A draw may also be enough for Nigeria even if Iceland beat Croatia, depending on goal difference.

To go through, Argentina needs to beat Nigeria while hoping Iceland lose to or draw with Croatia. If Iceland and Argentina both win, to move to four points, they will be split by goal difference.

Iceland must win to have any chance but also need the other results to go their way.

The Group D winner will face the Group C runner-up.

Group E

Only one thing is certain in Group E and that is Costa Rica, without a point, will be going home.

Brazil’s last-gasp win over Costa Rica took them alongside Switzerland on four points, with Serbia on three.

Wins or draws for Brazil against Serbia and Switzerland against Costa Rica will send both through.

Serbia must beat Brazil to qualify but a draw could see them through if the Swiss are beaten by Costa Rica by more than one goal.

The winners of Group E face the second-placed team in Group F.

Group F

This was another group that changed dramatically after a stoppage-time goal as Germany, facing potential elimination, pushed themselves right back into the mix by beating Sweden.

Mexico, on six points, is in the driving seat, with Germany and Sweden both on three.

Mexico will qualify with a win or draw against Sweden. They can also move on with a loss to the Swedes if Germany loses to or draw with South Korea, who have no points.

Germany will go through with any win should Sweden fail to beat Mexico.

Another scenario could see Germany advancing on a better goal difference with a victory over South Korea even if Sweden beat Mexico.

Sweden can qualify with a win over Mexico and a Germany loss to South Korea. If both Sweden and Germany win it is possible for the Swedes to advance on goal difference.

Despite two losses South Korea still has a slim chance of advancing but they would need to beat Germany and hope both that Sweden loses to Mexico and that the goal difference goes their way.

The winner of Group F will meet the runner-up in Group E.

Group G

England and Belgium are guaranteed to progress but their finishing positions will be decided by their meeting on Thursday.

Both on six points, they have identical goal totals so a draw would mean top spot going to the best-behaved team. England is currently on two yellows to the three of Belgium.

Tunisia and Panama have no points ahead of their meeting, where a draw would secure third place for the North Africans.

Group H

Japan and Senegal will advance with draws against Poland and Colombia respectively. Should Senegal and Japan both draw with the same score, they will be split by fair play; Senegal has five yellow cards to Japan’s three.

Colombia will progress if they beat Senegal and a draw will suffice if Poland beat Japan. Poland has been eliminated.

The top two teams in the group will face either England or Belgium.

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