Umar Akmal joins Sydney Sixers

Sydney Sixers, the reigning Champions League and Big Bash League trophy holders, have bolstered their squad for this summer by signing the Pakistani batsman Umar Akmal.

Like his national team-mate Shahid Afridi at Sydney Thunder, Akmal will be available for the Sixers' first three BBL matches, offering the kind of aggressive batting he has exhibited for Pakistan since his debut as a 19-year-old in 2009.

"I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the Big Bash League when the Sixers approached me," Akmal 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."

The Sixers have also signed the New South Wales rookie-contracted batsman Daniel Hughes, an opening batsman for the North Sydney grade club.

Hughes can be expected to slot into the Sixers' top order once David Warner departs for his expected national duty.