HAMPSHIRE vice captain Will Kendall has welcomed the "fantastic" decision to offer world record holder Shoaib Akhtar a Rose Bowl contract.

Kendall, currently in South Africa, was told the news by The Daily Echo that the Rawalpindi Express was thinking over a one-year deal.

Hampshire have acted quickly following the 12-month ban handed out to legendary spin wizard Shane Warne last week.

The Australian was due to skipper Hampshire this summer, but once news broke of his failed drugs test related suspension Rose Bowl chairman Rod Bransgrove insisted they would attempt to bring in a recognised international-class replacement.

The 27-year-old Akhtar, who recently recorded the first 100 mph delivery in the history of cricket while playing against England in the World Cup, has topped a shortlist which was also believed to include Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram and Australian legend Steve Waugh.

"He's one of the fastest bowlers in the world," said Kendall. "It would be fantastic if he came.

"A couple of the wickets we played on at home last season were a bit hairy at times, and I can't think there would be a batsmen anywhere on the county circuit who would look forward to facing Akhtar at the Rose Bowl."

Akhtar is currently still in South Africa following Pakistan's World Cup elimination but Hampshire expect a quick decision.

Director of cricket Tim Tremlett said: "We have made him an offer and if he accepts we will fly him over here for a medical within two weeks.

"He seems pretty keen to play county cricket, which is something he's never done.

"Paul Terry (cricket manager) was keen to sign a bowler and we also wanted to sign a 'name' player, and Akhtar fits both those criteria."

If he signs, Akhtar would be available for the entire domestic season barring a few weeks while Pakistan compete in a triangular one-day tournament.

Tremlett added: "If he signs he will give us a very potent bowling attack, and it would also allow us to rest people from time to time - it's a hard season physically."

Akhtar would boost a seam bowling department which already includes former England Test pair Alan Mullally and new boy Ed Giddins and England Academy prospect Chris Tremlett.

Akhtar took 11 wickets at an average of 22.9 in five World Cup games. He didn't bowl against Zimbabwe when rained decimated England's prospects of progress.

His best figures were 4-46 against Namibia and 3-26 against Holland. Against Australia he took 2-46 but went for 1-69 of nine overs against England and 1-72 off 10 in the loss to India.

It was while playing against England at Newlands that he bowled a delivery recorded at 100.2 mph to Nick Knight - a new world record, though the ICC don't officially log such statistics.

In April 2002 Akhtar had a delivery against New Zealand recorded at 100.04 mph, but it wasn't fully recognised as the official speed gun device was broken.

Akhtar, flatfooted at birth, first impressed on the international stage when his five-wicket haul at Durban in 1997-98 helped Pakistan win their first-ever Test on South African soil.

He grabbed eight wickets in a Test win against India shortly after, including dismissing Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar with successive yorkers.

Playing in England in the 1999 World Cup, Akhtar reached bowling figures of up to 99 mph.

Attempting to reach the magical three-figure mark, the player put extra strain on his back which eventually forced him to cancel his intentions of being Nottinghamshire's overseas player last year.

The fast bowler missed Pakistan's two-Test series with South Africa at the end of last year through injury but he is back for the World Cup.

Shoaib's lack of fitness has been a constant thorn in the side for coach Richard Pybus and captain Waqar Younis.

Although the 'Rawalpindi Express' looks set to start in Pakistan's opening World Cup match against Australia on 11 February, Miandad believes his long-term fitness is a concern.

"Shoaib is the fastest bowler in the world, but most of the time he's troubled with injuries," Miandad told BBC Urdu.

"It is the coach's and the trainer's responsibility to see and make sure players don't get injured.

"Imran Khan was a fast bowler and he never got injured so many times.

Miandad: Pakistan have the talent to go all the way

"There are so many other fast bowlers playing cricket right now that don't suffer as many injuries as Shoaib."

Even if Akhtar signs, it is unlikely that he would be captain the county. That job could go to Kendall, who has already revealed in a Daily Echo interview that he would be "honoured" to replace Robin Smith as skipper.

Australian Simon Katich, who has skippered New South Wales a few times in recent months, is another option for a season that gets underway in just over a month's time.