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Shoaib Akhtar, the Pakistan fast bowler, is backing himself to make such an impact in the World Cup that he will be able to take his pick of big-money contracts to play county cricket next summer.

Shoaib, thought to be the fastest bowler in the game, yesterday said: ``I have had two offers for next year, including one from one of the most famous counties, and there is already an offer of £80,000 a stoped play yesterday season on the table.

Oh for the smack of leather on willow: Not after torrential rain

``I am keeping my options open and I have no doubt I could be a success in county cricket. People say it is hard work but I am very fit and other bowlers like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis have proved that Pakistan bowlers can adjust very well to conditions in England.''

Shoaib, who played as a club professional in Northern Ireland last summer, has already been timed at 96 miles per hour but said: ``There is more pace to come. When the conditions are suitable I will show people how fast I can be this summer.''

Coach Mushtaq Mohammad added: ``Only Allan Donald is close to him in pace - and Shoaib is only 23 and has the potential to get a yard or two quicker.''

No chance to match the deed to the word was available yesterday, however, as torrential rain washed out the game with Durham at Chester-le-Street, where Pakistan were 50 without loss from 10 overs on a pitch offering bounce and lavish movement.

They were able to bowl only 17 overs in their first warm-up game at Derby on Saturday before rain forced an abandonment and Mushtaq said: ``We desperately need to play some cricket.''

Better news for Pakistan came with an X-ray which revealed that opener Shahid Afridi, struck on the right elbow by Steve Harmison, had suffered only bruising rather than a fracture.

Nixon McLean, the West Indian fast bowler, is again missing for Hampshire, who face England in their final warm-up game at Southampton today. McLean has a stomach strain.