PAKISTAN legend Wasim Akram is offering his services to the man he believes has all of the attributes needed to be the best fast bowler on the planet - even if the player himself doesn't quite believe it.

Steve Harmison is the man on Akram's radar but the former Pakistan skipper is convinced that Durham's spearhead is in danger of falling short of his own aspirations, as much as those of his critics, as a direct result of his fragile temperament and insecurity.

Akram, arguably the greatest left-arm quick bowler in history, has long admired Harmison's ability and is imploring the England fast bowler to prove his critics wrong by bowling fast and trusting his instincts.

"The only thing Steve Harmison needs is self-belief," said Akram.

"I've watched him for a few years and there is nothing wrong with his bowling.

"If I was asked to help Steve I would encourage him to back his talent, reassure him that he won't be dropped, and I would keep telling him to ignore people who criticise him and just concentrate on bowling as fast as he can.

"Nobody can tell me that Steve does not have the ability to bowl fast and he's proved in the past on so many occasions that when he gets it right he gets good players out.

"Test cricket is a completely different game to one-day cricket because in one-day matches a fast bowler has to vary his pace, particularly on sub-continent pitches, where variety and use of the crease is very important.

"Steve's asset is that he is tall, quick, strong, and he gets good bounce, so if he's patient in Test cricket and he trusts himself then he can be one of the best fast bowlers in the world."

Akram formed one of the greatest new-ball bowling partnerships with his compatriot Waqar Younis and their destructive swing bowling at lethal pace crushed many batsmen's toes as well as their stumps.

The 41-year-old former Lancashire and Hampshire allrounder, who took 414 Test wickets at an outstanding 23.62 average, and 502 one-day international wickets at 23.52, has revealed a long-standing ambition to coach a county side despite having no experience in the role.

Adding weight to Akram's claims, however, is that he still owns a house in the Manchester area and bases himself in England for a significant part of the year.

He is currently employed as a television commentator for various sub-contintental broadcasters and in that capacity is touring Australia to commentate on the Test series between Australia and India. But looking ahead to the future, Durham could be of the counties high on his priority list of potential employers if an offer is made from the Riverside.

"I would like to coach a county team and I like Durham,"

Akram said.

"I've still got my house in Altrincham and although I have not coached any bowlers before it's something I definitely want to do.

"I have worked with some of the P a k i s t a n bowlers from time to time but I have not been employed as a coach, so it's an option for me.

"In the future I would also be interested in doing some coaching with an international team like England because I love living in the UK.

"Having been a part of the system in the country I can say that English bowlers have the most potential of any country to improve.

"I've got years of experience in the game and I want to give something back."