Shoaib will be back at top pace: Foster

Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar will be able to rediscover his old pace despite having had to change his bowling action, according to Daryl Foster.

Foster, who headed back to Australia on Tuesday after completing a short-term coaching stint with Pakistan bowlers during their England tour, said he had changed his mind after earlier suggesting the 25-year-old would never bowl at top speed again.

"I had said that because of the remodelling of his action he would not be able to recover his peak pace but give him six to 12 months and he will be back," he said.

Foster is returning to his job at the University of Western Australia in Perth after declaring himself unavailable to continue with the team for the triangular one-day series against England and Australia starting on Thursday.

He was among a team of the university's experts who cleared Shoaib's action earlier this year after he was reported for throwing. The team, however, convinced Shoaib, who has abnormal movement in his shoulder and elbow joint, to modify his bowling style to avoid future injuries.

Shoaib, who still hopes to bowl a delivery at 100mph, and Australian Brett Lee had been rivals for the title of the world's fastest bowler before doubts first surfaced over the Pakistan bowler's action two years ago.

Foster added that Shoaib, dropped for the second Test against England to make way for match-winning off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, and Mohammed Sami were "top prospects" to replace Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis as Pakistan's front-line bowlers.

Pakistan, meanwhile, are keen to lure the bowling coach back again.

Pakistan team coach Richard Pybus, himself on a short-term contract, said: "It was brilliant for us to have Daryl. His contribution was immense.

"I would love Pakistan to use him again. He complements the players' pure talent with a discipline structure."

Mail Cricket Editor