Umar Akmal primed for Big Bash

Pakistan batsman signs up with Sydney Sixers for T20 league.

Pakistani batsman Umar Akmal has signed up with the Sydney Sixers for the first half of this summer’s Australian Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL), according to ESPNcricinfo.

Akmal, who is expected to add firepower to the middle order of the Champions League T20 winners, will feature in the first three matches of the BBL starting next month.

The batsman said he was 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,’’ said the 22-year-old. “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.’’

Akmal becomes the second Pakistan international to join the BBL after teammate Shahid Afridi signed up with Sydney Thunder.

Sydney Sixers continued their recruitment spree to snap up top-order batsman Daniel Hughes, who was added to the NSW Blues rookie list this season. The exciting young player is considered a prospect of the future for NSW and is sure to boost the batting attack when David Warner becomes unavailable because of Australian Test selection.

The Sixers signed West Indian Sunil Narine as their first import but the spinner is expected miss the team’s opening clash with crosstown rivals Sydney Thunder at the SCG on December 8.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2012.