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Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar could make his Surrey debut tomorrow 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 between them and those above them when Surrey take on Kent in a four-day game which begins at Canterbury.

He will then face Hampshire in another crucial championship game starting at The Oval next Tuesday.

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

He told www.cricketnirvana.com: "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 last 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.

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," added Shoaib.

"So it is a great chance to play a few county games. 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," PCB chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi told the News.

"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for a recall to the Pakistan team, with his five-year ban following altercations with the national board recently rescinded.

8:03am Wednesday 3rd September 2008

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