The organisers are hoping for a sell-out in Melbourne

Shoaib, who was due to play for an Asian XI against a Rest of the World side, has a hamstring problem.

He said it was "sensible" to withdraw, rather run the risk of a long spell out of the game by making the injury worse.

India's Sachin Tendulkar (elbow) also appears unlikely to play but will attend the match which is expected to attract an 80,000 sell-out crowd.

"He has tennis elbow but is still keen to come and provide his personal support for the game," said Cricket Australia spokesman Peter Young.

England fast bowler Darren Gough has flown to Australia after revealing how his eldest son urged him to play in the match.

I've been amazed at the organisation of this game in Melbourne at such short notice Darren Gough

"A third of the victims are children and I've got two kids who are donating their pocket money, so I hope I can do my bit too.

"I explained to them what was happening and my 10-year-old said 'Daddy, go and help'.

"He's all for it, he wants me to play and to watch it on TV, even though it will be 3.00am. I'm not sure that he'll be allowed."

Gough said cricket had "led from the front" as far as sport's response to the disaster, which claimed the lives of more than 140,000 people, was concerned.

"The England cricket team have already donated money and our sport is really doing its bit to help all affected countries make a new start.

"I've not played for six weeks but this wasn't a game to be missed. It is a great opportunity to play with some brilliant players, who I've been on the opposite sides against over the years."

BIlly Bowden and Rudi Koertzen will be the two umpires for the game, with former England batsman Chris Broad acting as match referee.

Asian XI (from): Sourav Ganguly (IND/capt), Sanath Jayasuriya (SRI), Virender Sehwag (IND), Marvan Atapattu (SRI), Rahul Dravid (IND), Yousuf Youhana (PAK), Alok Kapali (BAN), Kumar Sangakkara (SRI), Chaminda Vaas (SRI), Shoaib Akhtar (PAK), Zaheer Khan (IND), Anil Kumble (IND), Muttiah Muralitharan (SRI), Sachin Tendulkar (IND).

Rest of the World (from): Ricky Ponting (AUS/capt), Matthew Hayden (AUS), Adam Gilchrist (AUS), Stephen Fleming (NZL), Brian Lara (WIN), Chris Gayle (WIN), Chris Cairns (NZL), Shane Warne (AUS), Glenn McGrath (AUS), Dwayne Bravo (WIN), Darren Gough (ENG), Daniel Vettori (NZL).