Shoaib, Asif are doubts for World Cup, says PCB official

KARACHI, Feb 24 (Reuters) Pakistan bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif are expected to miss the World Cup due to doping and fitness problems, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official said tpday.

The two have been named in Pakistan's squad but have yet to take the board's official dope tests and must also be cleared of their knee and elbow injuries.

''The situation for them is not good. They are struggling against time and we are not very hopeful of them playing in the World Cup,'' said the PCB official without wanting to be named.

The two bowlers tested positive last October for the banned substance nandrolone, but a PCB appeals panel cleared them of a doping offence and set aside their bans in December.

Pakistan media reported on Friday they had gone to London to take private dope tests to confirm the level of nandrolone remaining in their bodies.

The reports said they took the tests to confirm no traces of nandrolone remained before taking the PCB's official tests.

Director of cricket operations Saleem Altaf insisted it was mandatory for Shoaib and Asif to clear dope tests and fitness trials next week to play in the World Cup.

''I don't know why they are delaying taking the tests in Pakistan but if they don't take it they don't go to the World Cup,'' he said.

REUTERS AY PM1537