Lahore, March 1 (IANS) Pakistan Thursday received a big jolt as drug-tainted fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammed Asif were withdrawn from the upcoming World Cup, with officials saying they were not fit to play.

Announcing this minutes before the team's departure to the West Indies as well as the International Cricket Council's (ICC) announcement to get rid of drugs from the game, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said pacer Mohammad Sami and pace-bowling all-rounder Yasir Arafat will replace them in the 15-member team.

The withdrawal of Shoaib and Asif further weakens Pakistan's pace bowling. The country has also lost all-rounder Abdul Razzaq to knee injury and hard-hitting batsman Shahid Afridi for the first two World Cup matches following a ban over breach of ICC code of conduct.

The PCB banned Shoaib for two years and Asif for one year after they tested positive in internal tests and missed the Champions Trophy in India.

But the PCB, against the wishes of ICC, dramatically reinstated both. The ICC then moved the Court of Arbitration in Sports against the PCB's decision to re-impose the ban. The case is still going on.

"On verbal reports from the doctors, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif require more time to become fit," PCB said in a short statement here Thursday.

"Hence, the national selection committee, in consultation with the team management, has decided that Mohammad Sami and Yasir Arafat would replace Shoaib and Asif for the World Cup."

Shoaib and Asif, skipping the precautionary dope tests conducted by PCB Friday, had gone to England for medical advice. But it was speculated that they had gone to England to take masking agents to avoid traces of Nandrolone. They were to undergo further tests on their return to Pakistan.

Had Shoaib and Asif tested positive again, they would have faced life bans under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rules. ICC is a WADA signatory.

The rest of the World Cup-bound players and the seven reserve players took the precautionary dope tests Feb 16. The results are yet to be declared.

Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq had said a few days ago that if Shoaib and Asif were to miss the 16-nation World Cup starting March 11, Pakistan's prospects of doing well would be drastically undermined.

Pakistan are clubbed with the West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland in Group D. Following group league matches, two top teams from the four pools advance to the quarter-finals.

Coach Bob Woolmer conceded Thursday the ouster of Shoaib and Asif was a huge disappointment for Pakistan. "It is a big blow and I feel sorry for both these players," he was quoted as saying on a cricket website.

But he added: "They are missing a mega event. But last year we did well without Shoaib in Sri Lanka and the year before in India without either of the two bowlers."

Azhar Mahmood has replaced Razzaq but Pakistan will have to pick their XI from just 14 players for their first match against the West Indies March 13 at Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica. Afridi will also miss the second game.