Lahore, Sep 1 : English cricket county Surrey has expressed interest in signing Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for at least two matches in its bid to avoid relegation.

Surrey is currently at the bottom of Division One in the County Championship and has only three games remaining.

"We have made contact, we have spoken with him. We are just waiting to see whether it's possible. We've got three matches left and we need something to happen." The Daily Times quoted Surrey's cricket manager, Alan Butcher, telling the Press Association.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) regulations require overseas players to spend a minimum of three weeks in England, but the county is hopeful that Shoaib's potential signing will be mutually beneficial.

Butcher said: "The 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 that this could be a springboard to do that. If the deal does go through, we hope it can be of great benefit to us all."

If an agreement is signed between the county and Shoaib, he could play as early as next week, when Surrey faces Kent at Canterbury. Earlier, Shoaib represented Worcestershire and Durham, but with limited success.

ANI