Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has refused to sign a central contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board because of concerns over individual sponsorship and commercial contracts.

The contracts, offered to Pakistan national players for the first time, were signed by 14 of the 17-man squad that will tour Australia next month, including captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and his deputy Yousuf Youhana.

"Shoaib has not signed the contract as yet. He said he wanted the document to be vetted by his legal adviser," Mushtaq Ahmed, the PCB's general manager of finance, told Reuters on Sunday.

"But we are confident that Shoaib will sign the contract later today before the team leaves for Australia," he added.

Shoaib, one of the world's fastest bowlers, agreed.

"The contract is a separate issue but I will be leaving with the team today for Australia," he said.

Team sources said Shoaib, who has been offered a category 'A' contract, is unhappy with a clause allowing players to take up individual sponsorship and endorsement contracts only after permission is given by the PCB.

KEY MEMBER

Shoaib, 29, is a key member of the Pakistan attack, having taken 133 wickets at 24.32 each in his 33 Tests.

Earlier this month, he was in India for commercial reasons and also signed a lucrative contract with English county Worcestershire for the 2005 season.

The PCB has offered players central contracts for a seven-month period, covering tours to Australia, India and West Indies until June 2005.

Pakistan's tour to Australia includes Tests in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney followed by a triangular one-day tournament with Australia and West Indies.

Pakistan have never won a Test series in Australia and suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the last series between the two countries in 2002.