Naveed was a surprise pick by the Sixers in the inaugural BBL draft last year, but claimed nine wickets in nine games with an economy rate of 7.37 and impressed enough to top the list when the club looked for a replacement. .
“We won’t be able to see Rehan Ahmed this season, but we wish him the best and at the same time welcome Naveed to the club,” Sixers coach Greg Shipperd said. “We are fortunate to have been able to get back a player of Naveed’s talent and we know he will fit into our group.
“Our spinning group is growing very well with SOK [O’Keefe]Todd and young Joel Davies, whose left-arm journeymen complement their strong batting and fielding.”
The Sixers have not waived Nathan Lyon, who has instead moved to Melbourne Renegades and will face his former club in their first game of the season at the SCG before leaving for trials.
Rehan joins Harry Brook as England players to retire from the BBL. Zak Crawley, who has signed with Perth Scorchers, will also have a delayed arrival after he was included for the ODI leg of the West Indies tour which ends on December 10.
Meanwhile, Davies is currently with the Australian T20I team in India as part of a learning and development opportunity. He is not officially part of the tour, but will act as net thrower during the final days of the trip.
Payne was part of the Perth Scorchers’ title-winning team last season and Strikers head coach Jason Gillespie was delighted to lure him in.
“He is a proven player at the highest level and will bring a wealth of experience to our team,” Gillespie said. “His ability to take wickets, his fielding skills and his positivity in the group will be invaluable to our team.”
Several clubs are expected to confirm new foreign signings in the coming days before the start of the tournament on December 7.
