SHOAIB Akhtar steamrollered his way into the New Road record books yesterday as Worcestershire romped to an easy eight-wicket victory over fierce rivals Gloucestershire Gladiators.

The Pakistani took 6-16 and produced a spell of world-class fast bowling too devastating for the startled visitors.

Gloucestershire were shot out for just 105 in the Division One totesport League relegation clash, with Kabir Ali (2-23) and Ray Price (1-17) contributing to the County cause.

Another overseas player, all-rounder Chris Gayle, struck a sultry unbeaten 53 from 69 balls to guide Worcestershire to four vital points.

Now on 22 points in fifth place with a much-improved run-rate, the Royals did their chances of avoiding the relegation trapdoor no harm.

Shoaib's figures equalled his career best in one-day games, achieved initially for Pakistan against New Zealand in April 2002.

It also surpassed Paul Pridgeon's 6-26 against Surrey in 1978, Worcestershire's top bowling record in the league.

The 30-year-old previously failed to claim a one-day league victim in a disappointing County season dogged by fitness problems and non-appearances.

Ironically, Shoaib was not due to play until spinner Gareth Batty damaged his bowling finger in a pre-match net session.

"Shoaib's bowling was magnificent," purred Worcestershire head coach Steve Rhodes. "I don't know what he had for breakfast. Whatever he had, he's got to have it all season long from now on to take wickets."

Stephen Snell perished first to Shoaib, bowled in the second ball of the match, and Matthew Windows fared no better, a flashing shot finding the edge to wicket-keeper Steve Davies.

Shoaib worked up a fearsome pace in his fourth over to claim three wickets in four balls.

Devilish yorkers had Craig Spearman and Mark Hardinges' off-stumps cartwheeling 20 yards while, in between, Alex Gidman was stuck leg-before fending.

Mark Alleyne survived the hat-trick ball before sharing in his side's highest stand of 36 with top-scorer Ramnaresh Sarwan.

After Sarwan fell on 31, short of his crease chasing a single to Stephen Moore, the County wrapped up the last four wickets for 47 runs.

Nine boundaries in a flawless 53 from Sarman's West Indian colleague Gayle, his second half-ton in one-day colours, guided Worcestershire home in good fashion.

Sri Lanka leg-breaker Malinga Bandara also had a hat-trick shout after accounting for opener Moore (28) and Vikram Solanki (0) in consecutive balls.