Umar Akmal becomes a Sydney Sixer for Big Bash

THE SYDNEY Sixers have signed promising Pakistani international batsman Umar Akmal as their second import for the first half of the T20 Big Bash.

THE SYDNEY Sixers have signed promising Pakistani international batsman Umar Akmal as their second import for the first half of this summer's Twenty20 Big Bash.

In a signing that adds firepower to the middle order of the T20 Champions League winners, Akmal will play the first three matches of next month's BBL.

The 22-year-old brother of controversial Pakistan wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, has played 26 International T20 matches for Pakistan with a batting average of 30.52.

Fresh from back-to-back triumphs in the T20 Champions League, the Sixers have strengthened their batting line-up for the second instalment of the revamped Big Bash with a host of power sloggers, including David Warner, Brad Haddin, Steve Smith, Nic Maddinson, Moises Henriques and Kurtis Patterson.

The Sixers are yet to announce who will replace Akmal as the team's second import for the second half of the competition and have one more spot on their roster for an Australian player.

Umar is looking forward to joining the Sixers for their second campaign.

``I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the Big Bash League when the Sixers approached me,'' he said.

``I'm looking forward to spending December in Australia and will be aiming to assist them to go back to back and win the tournament again.''

Also joining the Sydney Sixers is Daniel Hughes, a top order batsman who was added to the NSW Blues rookie list this season.

An opener for North Sydney, the exciting, young player is considered a prospect of the future for NSW and is sure to boost the batting attack when Warner becomes unavailable because of Australian Test selection.

The Sixers' signed West Indian bowler Sunil Narine as their first import, but he will miss the team's Big Bash opening clash with cross town rivals Sydney Thunder at the SCG on December 8.