England’s Evans wants a memorable Pakistan tour for HBL PSL

SHARJAH: Multan Sultans’ new recruit Laurie Evans looks forward to a memorable tour of Pakistan once the matches of the HBL PSL 2019 shift to the country, trusting the security arrangements made for the teams.

Evans, 31, hit a polished 49 in Multan’s narrow seven-run defeat against Karachi Kings on his PSL debut before managing 15 in his team’s win over Lahore Qalandars.

Evans said it would be exciting to tour Pakistan. “Pakistanis are enthusiastic about cricket,” said Evans. “I am sure there is a real desire to bring international cricket back to the country. I am really excited to go to Pakistan and I am sure I will be looked after really well.

“That should be a great experience and I am sure it will be a memorable one.”

Evans will not be the first England player to tour Pakistan. For the first final played in Lahore in 2017 and three matches in Karachi and Lahore last year, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Liam Dawson, Tymal Mills, Ravi Bopara and Samit Patel toured Pakistan.

“Every time I have played with someone from Pakistan, it has been nothing but lovely,” said Evans, who also played in the Afghan League in Sharjah last year and Bangladesh Premier League this year.

Evans said he believes the security personnel who have put good security arrangements for the players and teams. “I just trust the people looking after us,” said Evans. “We are looked after well here (in the UAE). They wouldn’t put us in danger any more than they put themselves in danger. So, I am sure hopefully everyone in Pakistan wants the PSL to do well and it will be absolutely fine,” he added.

Playing for Sussex in the Twenty20 blast in England last year, Evans topped the batting charts with 614 runs in 15 matches at a strike rate of 135.84. He also hit a blistering hundred for Rajshahi Kings in the BPL last month.

Evans said the bowling standards are the best in PSL. “Well, I mean I had a great winter. I have been to the Afghan league, T10 league and then the BPL, and now I am in the PSL and this tournament is the biggest and the bowling is the toughest I have faced,” he added.

“It’s a great challenge and I am loving it. I am playing with a great squad and it’s getting better. I am learning and I hope to leave as a better player,” said Evans.