LAHORE, Feb 27: Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq sprang a surprise on Tuesday, saying fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif were fit to play the World Cup.

Addressing a press conference here before the Pakistan team’s departure to the West Indies, scheduled for Wednesday from Karachi, Inzamam amazed the media personnel when he said Shoaib and Asif were not stopped from playing by doctors.

Shoaib is carrying a knee problem while Asif is bothered by a niggle in his elbow. Both of them are in London for check-ups. The news about their availability for the World Cup due to fitness problems had been making headlines recently.

But when asked whether Shoaib and Asif were yet to give fitness certificate, Inzamam said their injuries were not serious, adding they were only consulting with the doctors in London to avoid further aggravation to the injuries.

"As the Pakistan team is leaving for the West Indies via London, Shoaib and Asif can join us from there," Inzamam said.

He added that presently he was not in a position to say if 13 or 15 players would leave for the West Indies on Wednesday. However, Inzamam said by Wednesday a final decision would have been taken when both the pacers join the team for the World Cup.

Inzamam’s disclosure strengthened the reports that the two bowlers were in London for clearing their doping tests, before giving their urine samples to the PCB, instead of the PCB claim that they were trying to overcome their respective injury problems.

All the other 18 players, including 13 selected for the final World Cup squad plus five reserves had given their urine samples for the tests. Among these 18, many have cleared the test while the reports on Inzamam and Shahid Afridi are yet to be received.

Meanwhile, Inzamam said Umar Gul was fit, adding there was no second opinion about his fate in the World Cup.

He, however, denied a report that opener Imran Nazir was facing back and knee problems. “I have no report about Imran’s fitness problems.”

There are reports that Imran (Nazir) has been getting treatment from Dr Abdul Rauf for some problems in his back and knees.

Inzamam said his team looked balanced and had chances to win the World Cup provided they play with full strength. “Shoaib and Asif’s presence make my team a balanced outfit, capable of beating any team. In the past, playing with full strength, we won various matches, and I do hope all the players will be available for this big event,” he said.

Inzamam said Asian countries Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka had chances to win in the West Indies as batting-friendly pitches were likely in the World Cup.

Asked if it made any impact on the team's morale after former greats like Javed Miandad, Imran Khan, who, despite being invited by the PCB chief Dr Nasim Ashraf, did not visit the World Cup training camp to encourage the players, Inzamam had a short reply: “They might have other assignments.”

He dismissed the idea given by the PCB Academy coach Aaqib Javed, who suggested Inzamam should open the innings in the World Cup. “It will not be a wise decision and I will prefer batting at No 4 in the World Cup,” he argued.

But when asked when Mohammad Yousuf had been playing well at that position, Inzamam said, “I know it.”

Inzamam admitted that his performance in the last World Cup was pathetic, but he promised for a better show this time. "I will try to score more and more runs to put my team in the winning position," he insisted.

He opined that defending champions Australia and South Africa were two only sides that could give tough time to Pakistan or any other team at the mega event.

He said fielding would play a vital role in the World Cup, but no extra work could be done in this department during the short training camp.