Pakistan shrugged off the absences of strike bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif when they arrived for the World Cup.

The 1992 world champions saw both Shoaib and Asif limp out of contention last week just two days after all-rounder Abdul Razzaq was also ruled out through injury.

However, a team spokesman insisted that replacements Mohammad Sami, Yasir Arafat and Azhar Mahmood will rise to the challenge.

"The pair (Shoaib and Asif) are world class performers and great bowlers and obviously, they will be missed," said Pakistan media officer Pervez Jamil Mir.

"But we have some excellent replacements in Mohammad Sami who is one of the fastest bowlers in the world and Yasir Arafat. The team morale is as good as anything but injuries happen at any time and you can't worry about it too much."

"The players are not really worried about injuries in the team and they will go out there with the goal of winning the cup."

Pakistan will play two warm-up matches here against Canada and South Africa on March 6 and 9 respectively before heading to Jamaica for their first round matches with West Indies, Zimbabwe and Ireland.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)