Duo granted more time

The other 13 members of the Pakistan World Cup squad are due to depart on Thursday but Akhtar and Asif have been granted more time.

"Akhtar and Asif will not fly with the Pakistan team but we hope that they pass a medical test and feature in dope tests before a final decision is taken on them," team media manager Pervez Mir said.

In November 2006 Akhtar was banned for two years and Asif for one year after testing positive for the steroid nandrolone but the bans were overturned on the basis that the pair took the substance unknowingly.

Both players must pass a mandatory drugs test before they can feature in the World Cup but they have also been struggling with injury and will face late fitness tests.

Akhtar is battling a knee and hamstring injury while Asif has a recurrence of an elbow injury he sustained last year.

"Asif will return on Thursday and Akhtar on Friday and in the next few days they will have to pass these tests," Mir added.

Mir also said that the International Cricket Council has extended the deadline for final squad replacements from by six days to March 8th.

Meanwhile, captain Inzamam-ul-Huq and all-rounder Shahid Afridi both passed their pre-World Cup dope tests.

Pakistan begin their World Cup campaign against Jamaica on March 13th.