Sydney Sixers end contract with Umar Akmal

By Nadene Smith

SYDNEY, Australia (TheSportsNEXT) November 20, 2012: The Sydney Sixers, on Tuesday, terminated contract of Pakistan’s Twenty20 star player Umar Akmal after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allowed the hard-hitting batsman to play only one match in the KFC Big Bash League.

However, world’s best off-spinner Saeed Ajmal will still represent the Adelaide Strikers in their opening match of the Australian T20 league.

The Sydney Sixers will commence the BBL campaign on December 8 against Sydney Thunder at the SCG.

The Sydney Sixers came up with the contract termination just a day after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) allowed the middle order aggressor to be part of the KFC Big Bash League 2012.

Stuart Clark, General Manager at Sydney Sixers, told reporters, “While it would have been great to have Umar Akmal here for the start of the BBL season, the short time frame offered is not in the club's best interest and we have decided to see if a suitable replacement is available rather than continue down this path”.

While the local media speculated about Sydney Sixers going after Kevin Pieteresen, Stuart Clark made it clear that the Sixers are not going to sign any foreign player just for the sake of having one in the squad.

He added, “We are confident our strong roster will be able to cover the loss of Umar should we not find a suitable replacement”.