Pollock and Shoaib have over 1,100 international wickets between them

The Twenty20 League, starting in April, was devised by the India Cricket Board to counter the rebel Indian Cricket League that is to feature Brian Lara.

The Australian, England, South African and Pakistan boards back the IPL.

International skippers Graeme Smith, Mahela Jayawardene and Daniel Vettori are among 25 foreign stars to sign up.

The inaugural edition of the IPL will feature eight teams, each to be bought as a franchise, and there are plans to double the field by 2010.

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Each franchise will have squads of 16, comprising local young players, Indian national team squad members and leading overseas professionals.

Prolific Pakistan batsman Mohammad Yousuf is a recent convert, having initially agreed to join the rebel ICL only to change his mind in order to continue his international career.

Akhtar, 32, with almost 400 international wickets to his name, was recently banned for 13 matches by the Pakistan board after the latest in a series of misdemeanours.

New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram, 29, who has taken over 100 one-day wickets and scored six half-centuries, has also joined the league.