The Sydney Sixers have locked in another key piece of their KFC BBL|14 squad, securing West Indies spinner, Akeal Hosein, for the upcoming season.
The Trinidadian joins the Sixers as an overseas pre-signing, secured under the league’s newly introduced rule, permitting one international player to be signed by each club ahead of the BBL|14 Draft in September.
Currently the #6 ranked T20I bowler in the world, Hosein returns to the Big Bash after two seasons with the Melbourne Renegades.
A crafty left-arm tweaker, Hosein made his mark in his first Big Bash summer, collecting 13 wickets (at 6.46) and snaring a handful of three-wicket hauls across his nine matches in BBL|12.
The 31-year-old is set to be reunited in Sydney with his Washington Freedom title-winning captain – and recently re-signed Sixers star – Steve Smith, as well as Washington teammate Jack Edwards and former Freedom head coach, Greg Shipperd.
Born and raised in Laventille, a suburb in Trinidad and Tobago’s capital, Port-of-Spain, Hosein’s personal story of resilience and his rise to the international stage, is one that has inspired many within the cricketing world.
First called upon to represent the West Indies at the Under-19 World Cup in 2012, the spinner spent the early years of his career toiling at first-class level, eventually earning contracts with the Barbados Tridents and Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League.
Making his international debut for the West Indies in 2021, Hosein now has over 90 international appearances and 105 wickets under his belt.
A leading wicket-taker in the 2024 edition of the Hundred, the left-armer helped to lead the Southern Brave to the competition’s Final earlier this month, snaring 12 wickets in nine outings for the side.
Sixers General Manager, Rachael Haynes said the club was extremely pleased to have secured the signature of the star for the upcoming season.
“We’re thrilled to have Akeal on board with the club this summer.
“With the retirement of Steve O’Keefe last season, we identified a gap for us to fill and Akeal is going to play a key role for us in that position.
“We expect him to bowl some really important overs for us, but we also know he’s a talented fielder and a capable tail-end batter who’ll be able to provide crucial runs in the back end of an innings if required.
“Aside from being one of the best spinners in the world, we know Hosein is a great team person and someone who will fit in well with our group and our fans will love to watch this summer.”
Hosein is expected to be available for the first seven matches of the upcoming season.
Tickets for the upcoming KFC BBL|14 season are on sale NOW. Tickets are available via Ticketek.