WORCESTERSHIRE cricketer Shoaib Akhtar has vowed to do his bit to fight against Islamic extremism and terrorism.

The Pakistan international, who is based at the New Road club in Worcester, has agreed to tour the UK to speak to young British Muslims.

He will highlight the threat of Islamic fundamentalism and encourage them to become valuable, committed members of society. He launched the campaign in London where he talked about the dangers of extremism, particularly in the aftermath of the bombings in the capital last month.

Shoaib said: "I was involved in the aftermath of a suicide bombing myself. It was in Karachi a couple of years ago when the Pakistan and New Zealand cricket teams were staying in the same hotel. About 20 minutes before we were due to leave for the ground, there was an explosion, and the whole glass at the front of the hotel shattered.

"Then, like everyone else, I was shocked by the images of the bombings in London. Terrorism has no religion, it's just killing.

"The bomb doesn't care whether you're Christian or Muslim - but uneducated Muslims can be brainwashed very quickly.

"That's why there has to be more awareness of the dangers of extremism."

Shoaib, who will visit schools, colleges and community centres, will also be holding a special children's fun day at Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham on Saturday, September 17, with all proceeds donated to the victims of the London bomb blasts. Shoaib, the world's fastest bowler, grew up in Rawalpindi in Pakistan, and spent some of his education in a madrassa, a religious school which have been accused of being a breeding ground for terrorists. He signed

for Worcestershire last

November.