WORCESTERSHIRE will not pay Shoaib Akhtar when he fails to appear in matches.

The New Road club revealed the 29-year-old Pakistani fast bowler, who has endured a chequered start to his County stint, is on a pay-as-you-play contract.

Shoaib's deal is also incentive-linked, so Worcestershire will not be hit in the pocket if he fails to deliver on the pitch.

"He has come here on the basis that he will do well if he appears and performs," said County chief executive Mark Newton. "If he doesn't do either of those things, then he will not be costing the club a great deal of money.

"The contract is very incentive-linked and appearance-linked. We have never done this before with a player because we do not think it is ideal in terms of the team culture. But Shoaib was delighted to come to Worcestershire on that basis."

Stepping in to replace a successful short spell by Sri Lankan seamer Chaminda Vaas, the 'Rawalpindi Express' is yet to convince sections of Worcestershire supporters of his effectiveness.

Shoaib was unable to start the County Championship fixture with Yorkshire earlier this month after straining a calf muscle, while his one-day appearances have been restricted.

However, he underlined his Test class by ripping apart Northamptonshire to take 6-47 in the first innings of last week's Championship defeat.

Newton added: "Shoaib has come here for two reasons, to try and resurrect his own career and we hope to win us some games. What he did at Northampton is what we have brought him over here for."