Akhtar's pace can unsettle the world's best

Jones said: "He's obviously one of the quickest bowlers in the world.

"He bowled very quickly in the ICC Champions Trophy and it would have been nice to meet him, have a chat and get some ideas off him."

Despite Akhtar absence, there will certainly be no shortage of world-class cricketers on show under the Millennium Stadium roof.

The British side, captained by England skipper Nasser Hussain, features five members of the current England Ashes squad and Glamorgan favourites Robert Croft and Matthew Maynard.

Their opponents include some of the finest current one-day internationals, as well as West Indies legend Courtney Walsh.

"I can't wait to play at the stadium," said Walsh

"I have fond memories of playing Test and county cricket in England - but not the time spent in pavilions waiting for the rain to stop."

Power Cricket is a shortened version of the one-day game played on an artificial pitch.

The match is divided into four 15-over innings where the batting team is rewarded with extra runs for reaching designated scoring areas.

Stephen Fleming captains the Rest of the World side

Big hits will therefore be the order of the day - an ideal proposition for the likes of Ali Brown and Shahid Afridi.

Jones said: "It's a great idea, it'll going to be a great occasion and should get the crowds in.

"It's a lot shorter game and a lot more exciting with more runs and bigger hits. I think it can only be good for the game."

A rib injury forced Jones to miss Glamorgan's final matches and prevented him from taking part in the final three Test matches against India.

The England management are reportedly concerned that Jones, and other members of the Ashes squad, are playing in Cardiff just days before heading for Australia.

But Jones stressed he has no fitness concerns.

"I've been working hard in the gym, having treatment nearly every day and I've had a couple of bowls. It's coming along nicely," he said.

Great Britain squad:
Nasser Hussain (Essex, capt), Ally Brown (Surrey), Dominic Cork (Derbyshire), John Crawley (Hampshire), Robert Croft (Glamorgan), Mark Ealham (Kent), Matthew Fleming (Kent), James Foster (Essex), David Fulton (Kent), Adam Hollioake (Surrey), Ronnie Irani (Essex), Simon Jones (Glamorgan), Rob Key (Kent), Matthew Maynard (Glamorgan), Martin Saggers (Kent), Robin Smith (Hampshire).

Rest of the World squad:
Stephen Fleming (New Zealand, capt), Shahid Afridi (Pakistan), Mustaq Ahmed (Pakistan), Wasim Akram (Pakistan), Saeed Anwar (Pakistan), Nathan Astle (New Zealand), Shane Bond (New Zealand), Andy Flower (Zimbabwe), J'ayawardene (Sri Lanka), Amjad Khan (Denmark), Azhar Mamood (Pakistan), Muttiah Muralitharian (Sri Lanka), Aravinda da Silva (Sri Lanka), Kuma Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Youvraj Singh (India), Javagal Srinath (India), Courtney Walsh (West Indies).