Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram believes the United States is a huge potential market for cricket and has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to do more to promote the sport there.

"If the ICC wants cricket to be truly globalised and the USA to play an active role in the 2007 World Cup it has to start delivering practically and giving proper funds for the development of the sport," Wasim told Reuters on Thursday.

The 36-year-old is being honoured on Sunday by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) during the final one-day international between Pakistan and South Africa for his outstanding services to Pakistan cricket.

Wasim, rated as one of the finest left-arm fast bowlers to grace the game, retired this year after being dropped from the Pakistan team after the World Cup.

He remains the only bowler to take 500 wickets in one-day internationals and claimed 414 test victims.

Akram, who returned home after

attending a victory dinner in Michigan, United States of a local club side, said he had been impressed with the interest in cricket in the States.

"There is lot of interest because of the diversification of cultures. Unfortunately the ICC has so far worked only on paper for promoting cricket in the States but done nothing practically," he said.

"On paper you can do a lot but unless the ICC designates funds it would be difficult for the United States to figure prominently in the next World Cup, leave alone field a competitive outfit in the tournament."

Wasim, who for the last two years has participated in international double wicket tournaments in New Jersey and Houston, said the ICC needed to tap into the cricket market in the United States.

Next year, Wasim is organising a World XI versus Asian XI series of matches in New York. "Hopefully, we will have the top players including Indians involved in the series and it will boost cricket in the States," he said.

Wasim, who will be at the Rawalpindi Stadium on October 12 for the final one-dayer against South Africa, believes Pakistan have a

very good chance of winning the series.

"From what I have seen of our team, it is progressing well and they have lot of spirit. (Former captain) Rashid Latif and (captain) Inzamamul Haq have done a good job with the boys. They just have to lift themselves for the final two games. I think they will win the series," he said.

Akram said the absence of Inzamam and Mohammad Sami had made a big difference in the third one-dayer, which South Africa won to reduce Pakistan's lead to 21.

Sponsors of the series Pepsi Cola International Wednesday unveiled plans to give a grand farewell to Wasim, who retired in May, for his services to the country during a 19-year career during in which he also led Pakistan.

"The last match of the ongoing Pakistan-South Africa one-day series to be played in Rawalpindi on October 12 will be dedicated to Wasim and will conclude with a farewell ceremony in Wasim's honour," said a sponsors press release.