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Struggling Surrey reveal chase for Rawalpindi Express

31/08/2008

Rock-bottom Surrey are planning a shock move to sign controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.

The Brown Caps, looking to escape relegation from Division One of the County Championship, are looking to the Pakistan paceman to revive their fortunes.

Surrey are hoping the 33-year-old can play in their final three games starting with next week’s clash with Kent at Canterbury.

Akhtar is looking to return to the Pakistan side after having his five-year ban for indiscipline overturned.

Surrey manager Alan Butcher said the only snag is legal documentation which requires all overseas players to spend at least three weeks in this country.

"We have made contact, we have spoken with him. We are just waiting to see whether it's possible," Butcher said.

"They [overseas players] have to be here for a period of 21 days.

"But he is keen. He's desperate to get back into the Pakistan side and is hoping this could be a springboard to do that.

"If it does go through, we hope it could be of great benefit to us all. We've got three matches left and we need something to happen."

Akhtar, who has not played for Pakistan since last December, was in the Pakistan squad for the Champions Trophy which was set to take place next month but was postponed for security reasons.

Last October, he was banned for 13 games for whacking team-mate Mohammad Asif with a bat.

The fast bowler has previously had a spell Worcestershire in 2005, where he was booed by the club's fans while chairman John Elliot slammed Akhtar for ruining team spirit.