By Martin Gough BBC Sport at the Rose Bowl

In the old days of county cricket it was said the next great fast bowler could be called into action by whistling down the pit.

Wasim says he has already settled in at the Rose Bowl

Hampshire whistled in a totally different direction when a vacancy came up for an overseas player, but they still got a fast bowler with a fine county pedigree.

Wasim Akram is the only man to take more than 500 wickets in one-day internationals - as well as claiming 414 Test victims.

But, almost as importantly for a county looking for an instant fit, he also starred in a Lancashire team that carried off seven one-day trophies during the 10 seasons he was at Old Trafford.

When it emerged Shane Warne would be unable to play in 2003, after testing positive for a banned substance, Hampshire stalwart Robin Smith was on the phone straight away.

He caught the veteran left-armer preparing to take on England in their World Cup match-up in Cape Town, and the chance to join several old friends from the circuit swayed the decision.

However, Wasim claims not to recall his last county appearance - coincidentally against Hampshire at Old Trafford in 1998 - and does not believe it will take long to fit in at the Rose Bowl.

"I knew some of the boys already but I've met all of them in the last two or three days and it feels like my third season here," he said.

Pakistan is the worst soccer team ever - don't play with them Wasim Akram

"I last played for Lancashire five years ago and there are some top memories. This will be something totally different."

Wasim even sounds like an old county pro when he cites his motivation for the season: "to enjoy it, to have fun and work hard".

But he also did his research before signing on the dotted line, making sure what he expects to be his last season will not be spent on a losing side.

Relegated from Division One of the County Championship last term, Hampshire responded with the appointment of Paul Terry as first team manager.

And Wasim's arrival Terry's plan of rotating a pace corps including exciting prospects Chris Tremlett and James Hamblin and former England men Alan Mullally and Ed Giddins.

"I think we're a good enough side to do well," Wasim went on.

"I did my homework before I came here about the team and Hampshire itself and so far everything is 100%.

"I think this could be my last season. By September I'll be finishing - hopefully on a high note."

There is no way Wasim's last appearance for Pakistan could be described in the same terms.

After a disappointing World Cup, including that defeat to England, the 1992 winners saw their hopes of Super Six qualification washed out by Bulawayo rain, Zimbabwe grabbing the last spot.

"I was disappointed - the whole team was disappointed," Wasim went on.

"After the last game was rained off against Zim we just kept quiet for two days, every one of us."

He claims there was no discord within the side, although at times in the field players were obviously keener to listen to him than skipper Waqar Younis.

The dressing-room rumbling ended with a bust-up in training, when an argument during a game of football saw vice-captain Inzamam-ul Haq storm off in a huff.

Ten years of county cricket have made Wasim well qualified to compare the abilities of his international team-mates with those of his new colleagues.

"Soccer is definitely better here among cricketers," he grinned.

"Pakistan is the worst soccer team ever - don't play with them."