Fresh from what Steve Waugh described as "one of the great spells of fast bowling", Shoaib Akhtar says he can bowl even better when Pakistan begin their second Test against Australia at Sharjah on Thursday. Shoaib demolished Australia's top order with five wickets in 15 balls on the third day in a devastating spell of reverse-swing bowling in the first Test in Colombo, but he expects to do even more damage here.

"I think I will be more effective in Sharjah than I was in Colombo," said Shoaib. "It may be hot in Sharjah, but not as humid, which will help me reverse-swing the ball more. I am used to playing in Sharjah. I feel comfortable here. I can't wait to get out there and have a go at the Aussies again."

Shoaib's threat is not one Australia are taking lightly. "By what we saw in Colombo, Shoaib has got to be the most lethal fast bowler in the game," said John Buchanan, their coach. "We have to ensure we keep wickets in hand when he is bowling. It's that one spell of five or six overs when Shoaib is at his peak. If we can get through that period, we will be okay."

Shoaib, who probably doesn't know the meaning of the word modesty, has been even more full of himself than usual since Colombo. When asked what batsmen had to do to counter him, he said: "They've got to be brave, mate.

"I am not going to tell you how they should play me. But I know a batsman has to be brave when he faces me. I am [the team's] inspiration," he said. "They depend on me to turn the game around. I did it in Colombo, I hope to do it here as well.

"I want to be among the best fast bowlers ever. And I can reach there only when I pick up wickets and help Pakistan win. We may have lost the first Test, but I am confident we will do much better here in Sharjah. We want to win both Tests."

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd