Wasim Akram is preparing to face a Scottish Saltires side including Rahul Dravid tomorrow - by offering his help to the game north of the border.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Wasim confirmed his retirement from international cricket earlier this month and is in his last season of first class cricket.

But today he hinted that his next move may be to Scotland, where he believes Asian cricketing talent is given more chance to shine.

Wasim, who launched Southampton's first inner city club earlier this week, said: "In Scotland, the young Asians, such as the spinner Majid (Haq), are being given the opportunity to flourish whereas the lack of these guys from many county squads remains a mystery to me.

"You have to realise that for people like myself, cricket is in the blood, it is part of my being, and my philosophy is that the only criterion which matters is talent.

"But, too often, other considerations seem to apply in England, which is one of the reasons why I would love to play a part in taking the Scots onwards to a higher level.

"I have a responsibility to give something back to cricket. It has been extremely good to me for the past 18 years."

Wasim has watched the Saltires' first season in the National League with interest - not least the win against his former county Lancashire that took them up to second place last week.

The 36-year-old will be playing against Scotland for the fifth time tomorrow, having helped Lancashire to three comfortable B & H Cup wins, including two at Perth and Forfar, during his early days at Old Trafford.

More recently, he starred against the Scots for Pakistan in the 1999 World Cup. He helped reduce them to 19-5 by taking 3-23 before hitting an unbeaten 37 in a 94-run win at Durham's Riverside Ground.

Playing for Scotland that day were James Brinkley and Ian Stanger, two players Wasim is likely to face tomorrow, when he expects his toughest game yet against a Scotland side.

"It's terrific that the Scots have started so well," he added. "Last Sunday's success sounded a thoroughly professional job because Lancashire were always struggling to chase 190-odd and they are an excellent team.

"I'm not really surprised that the newcomers have risen to the challenge, considering that I have played against Scotland regularly during the last decade.

"There is certainly no shortage of raw talent there. In fact I was surprised they didn't qualify for the World Cup in South Africa.

"Having been forced to watch most of that tournament from the sidelines, as a consequence of Pakistan's incredibly disappointing competition - nobody clicked - I am sure the Scots would have been capable of giving Namibia, Holland and Bangladesh a good run for their money.

"They have proved that immediately with their results in the NCL. What's needed now is more promotion of the game by the authorities and the creation of a professional structure."

Wasim, who has played in all five of Hampshire's one-day games this season, is now preparing to bowl against Dravid exactly three months after Pakistan's six-wicket defeat against India in the World Cup.

"He's a class act, one of probably only three or four batsmen in the world today who can win a match on their own, and I speak from bitter experience because India have done well against Pakistan recently," added the Hampshire star.

"Obviously, we will be looking to get him out quickly. Dravid is very dangerous if he settles and he usually does get settled, but we are under no illusions that this will be a tough game.

"Although we are the full timers, Scotland have built up momentum, they have home advantage and will be playing in front of the television cameras for the first time.

"If their fans are as noisy as they were in Durham, they will fancy their chances. Winning is infectious and, if the Scots can beat Somerset and Lancashire, then they can be competitive against anybody."