Shoaib seals Surrey switch

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar could make his Surrey debut on Thursday after agreeing a short-term deal with the LV County Championship Division One strugglers.

Shoaib, who has not played for Pakistan this year, will be aiming to help the top flight’s bottom club bridge the 18-point gap to safety when Surrey take on Kent in a four-day game at Canterbury.

Shoaib, who has also played for Somerset, Durham and Worcestershire, said: “I am delighted to have been recruited by Surrey.

“I wanted to go much earlier, but an endorsement in India and then my mother's illness delayed my departure.

“But finally I’m off on Wednesday and hope to play as early as Thursday.

“I am fully fit and have lost some weight which would help me bowl at least 15 to 20 overs in an innings.

“It’s late summer in England so the weather would be perfect and I would do my best to help the team win all three matches.”

Shoaib, who played the last of his 46 Tests in December - shortly after his final one-day international - was recalled to the Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy, which should have taken place next month but has been postponed because of security concerns.

A stint with Surrey may help Shoaib Akhtar © Getty Images

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Australia pulled out of a scheduled series in March this year due to security concerns and a three-match one-day series against New Zealand was also scrapped.

“We have no Tests this year which is disappointing, so it is a great chance to play a few county games," added Shoaib.

"Surrey is a great county and one of my idols Waqar Younis played for them in the past, so it is a great honour and privilege.”

Shoaib’s move to Surrey has also received the backing of the Pakistan Cricket Board.

“We have cleared Shoaib to play county cricket and have given him a no objection certificate,” said PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi.

“Shoaib has been out of competitive cricket for quite some time and needs to regain his match fitness.

“We believe a short county stint might help him in doing that.”

The 33-year-old hopes to press his claims for a recall to the Pakistan team, with his five-year ban following altercations with the national board recently rescinded.

The PCB had refused players such as Umar Gul and Ifthikar Rao permission to play for county clubs.

“We had stopped our fast bowlers from playing for counties because such stints had affected their form and fitness,” added Naghmi.

“Mohammad Asif and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan both suffered major injuries while playing county cricket.

"But Shoaib's case is different. He hasn't played much cricket this year. In fact, a county stint could actually benefit him.”