Shoaib prepares Pak for Lee

Akhtar, 24, was speaking two days after the International Cricket Council ICC slapped a ban on him for bowling with an illegal action. The ruling bars him from the lucrative triangular one-day series against Australia and India, starting next Sunday, and rules out a fascinating duel with Australia8217;s new fast bowling sensation Brett Lee.

Pakistan team manager Khawaja Mohammed Nasir said Akhtar bowled in the nets to his colleagues in order to prepare them for a possibleconfrontation with Lee. 8220;He wanted to go and bowl to give the batsmen practice,8221; Nasir said. 8220;Australia has a battery of fast bowlers and we are looking forward to, and we accept, the challenge of Brett Lee.8221;

Akhtar said ICC had told him his short-pitched deliveries caused concern. 8220;I8217;m still confident there is nothing wrong with my action, it is totally fluent,8221; he said.

He says he accepts the ICC decision and has vowed to clear his name in time for next month8217;s three-Test home series against Sri Lanka.

When he arrives home, former West Indies fast bowling great Michael Holding, a member of the ICC panel which banned him, will work with him to try to eliminate any doubts about the legitimacy of his action.