The Sydney Sixers have confirmed the return of English leg-spinner Jafer Chohan on a one-year deal for BBL|16, alongside the launch of a new permanent South Asian supporter bay at the Sydney Cricket Ground called Magenta Mela.
Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes announced both moves in a Cricket NSW statement on Monday.
"We're thrilled to welcome Jafer back for another season, and equally excited to launch Magenta Mela for our fans," Haynes said.
Chohan, 24, is British-Pakistani and plays his county cricket for Yorkshire. This will be his third Big Bash campaign with the Sixers, having featured in the past two summers.
The leg-spinner first drew attention in Australia after dismissing both Joe Root and Ben Duckett while bowling in the nets during an England training camp at Loughborough.
Chohan said he was looking forward to working under new Sixers head coach Matthew Mott.
"Australia has given me some incredible opportunities, and playing in front of Sixers fans at the SCG is something I genuinely love," Chohan said.
"I can't wait to get back out there with my teammates in December and work with our new Head Coach Matthew Mott."
He said last season's final defeat was motivation heading into the new campaign.
"After the heartbreak of last year's final, I'm keen to get back to Sydney and work to bring the cup home to the SCG this Summer," he said.
Magenta Mela replaces the club's former South Asian Supporter Bay, Babaristan, which sold out at every Sixers home game last season following the signing of Pakistani batter Babar Azam. Cricket NSW said additional seating had to be opened at the time to meet demand.
The word "mela" means "fete" or "gathering" across many South Asian cultures, derived from a Sanskrit term for "to meet" or a fair. Haynes said the new name reflected the make-up of the Sixers' fan base.
"Magenta Mela celebrates the diversity of our fan base and the passion and energy that brings to every game at the SCG," she said.
Magenta Mela will be a permanent bay at the SCG for all Sixers BBL home matches this summer. Fans who buy into the bay also join the club's South Asian mailing list, which offers special ticketing opportunities and behind-the-scenes access.
Haynes urged fans to move quickly.
"Tickets for the Magenta Mela are on sale now, and I encourage our fans get in quick before they sell out. We can't wait to bring everyone together to celebrate this Summer," she said.
Chohan joins a Sixers KFC BBL|16 list that includes Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Ollie Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Chris Jordan, Riley Kingsell, Hayden Kerr, Josh Philippe, Fergus O'Neill, Corey Rocchiccioli, Tim Seifert, Jake Scott, Lachy Shaw, Jordan Silk and Steve Smith.
Tickets for Magenta Mela are available now through the Sydney Sixers' Ticketmaster seat map, with WBBL and BBL tickets also on sale via the club's website.