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LAHORE, Pakistan, Tuesday (AFP) - Express bowler Shoaib Akhtar remained in the limelight after apparently delivering himself into the record books ahead of Pakistan and New Zealand's first Test starting here Wednesday.

The 26-year-old Pakistani bowler was clocked at 161 kilometres per hour (100.04 mph) in the third and final one-day international here Saturday night, which if conformed will eclipse previous speed records.

New Zealand coach Denis Aberhart admitted Akhtar, nicknamed the Rawalpindi Express after his home town in Pakistan's Punjab province, is bowling fast but played down the speed factor.

"Akhtar is bowling really quick but he is a bowler in our opposition and we know we have to counter him," Aberhart told reporters after his team's practice session on Monday.

Aberhart said his team could stage a comeback in the Tests after a 3-0 whitewash in the one-day series.

"Test cricket is different than one-day games and I hope the boys would regroup and give a good account of themselves in Tests," he said.

The tourists have been plagued by injury problems since the start of this year.

Their ace allrounder Chris Cairns was ruled out of the tour due to knee trouble while rising star Shane Bond is nursing a foot injury.

High-scoring opener Nathan Astle returned home with a knee injury after playing the first one-day in Karachi.

Captain Stephen Fleming, allrounder Scott Styris and Chris Harris have all suffered stomach upsets, but Aberhart said all have recovered.

Middle order batsman Matthew Sinclair, pacer Chris Martin and opener Mark Richardson have joined the team for the Tests.

Pakistan coach Mudassar Nazar hoped his side would finally scotch their reputation for poor performances on home grounds.

"We lost the Asian Test championship final against Sri Lanka last month and do not have a good home record so I hope my team overturn that in this Test," he said.

Pakistan has lost six of their last seven series at home since 1995-96.

"The fear of losing at home remains at the back of the mind but Pakistan team is performing well and has won a tri-series in Sharjah earlier this month and won 3-0 against New Zealand," he said.

Nazar said Pakistan faced their own bowling threat in the shape of Daniel Vettori, making his Test debut for New Zealand.

"Vettori has been taking wickets in New Zealand where wickets do not take much spin."

Both teams will announce their final 11s on the morning of the match.

The second and final Test starts in Karachi from May 8.

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