An insider in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), while refuting Akram's allegation that the board has not asked for his availability, said Lancashire has informed Pakistan official that they cannot release the all-rounder before Sept 14.

Sources said Lancashire has cited the expected top positions in the English County Championship and the NatWest Trophy.

``While the NatWest Trophy (in which Lancashire are in the final) ends later this month, the county games don't end until Sept 14. At present, Lancashire are third behind Surrey and Leicestershire and have five games in hand,'' sources remarked.

The PCB sources said if the board had not inquired about Akram's availability, Lancashire would not have responded in the negative.

Regarding the availability of other players, sources said Mushtaq Ahmad is the only player till Tuesday to confirm in the affirmative. Waqar Younis and Saqlain Mushtaq have not responded though Younis is expected to be released by Glamorgan who trail at eighth place and have no chance of defending the title.

However, prospects are bleak for Saqlain Mushtaq.

Mushtaq said from Lahore that he would not take part in the remaining county games ``as Somerset is out of title fight. Besides, I had been away from my family for the last three or four years. I requested for the release and they accepted it.

``This was my last season as per the three-year contract but they are interested in me for the last three months (after the World Cup) next year. It has to be negotiated,'' he added.

Mushtaq said it has been a good season for him though he could bag only 33 wickets. ``It was successful in the sense that I suffered no injury. The nagging knee is in perfect shape.''