Reigning Champions League and Big Bash League title holders Sydney Sixers have signed Pakistan’s hard-hitting middle order batsman Umar Akmal for the early part of BBL this season. Akmal will be available for Sixers’ first three matches of the season next month before he joins the Pakistan team for the short tour of India. Akmal says he ‘jumped’ at the opportunity to be a part of Big Bash League when the Sixers approached him. Akmal’s teammate Shahid Afridi represents Sydney Thunder in BBL. New South Wales’ opening batsman Daniel Hughes was also signed by Sydney Sixers.