COLOMBO, Feb 28: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar on Monday said that Pakistan would have had the most lethal fast bowling combination in the World Cup had Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif been available.

Talking to reporters during the team's practice session at the P. Saravanamuttu Stadium here, the ageing speedster said Pakistan are definitely missing both Aamir and Asif who along with the then Test captain Salman Butt earlier this month were slapped with lengthy bans by the International Cricket Council's tribunal after being found guilty of corruption in the spot-fixing scandal during the final Test of the series against England at Lord's last August.

“Obviously, it is a huge loss that both Aamir and Asif are not available. But if they were here, Pakistan would have fielded one of the most lethal bowling combinations in this World Cup,” Shoaib admitted.

“They were among the best with the new ball. Of course, we are all very disappointed and sad about the whole affair [of spot-fixing scandal] and what happened to them. But I guess we have to move on since now that's in the past.”

Shoaib commented the bowling line-up Pakistan have here is still good enough to rattle the opposition and perform to expectations.

“The bowlers we have at the moment can still a good job in the tournament. The likes of Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi and the rest offer varied options, and the kind of mixture which is a good sign for the team. So we have to share the responsibility to get the job done for Pakistan.”

He remarked he's no more the 'Rawalpindi Express' that he used to be the fastest bowler of his time.

“Personally, I don't regard myself in that category any more since I'm 36 and not getting any younger. These days, I am more mature and just focus on taking wickets. The speedy days are long gone and I don't wish to be bowling at 100 miles any more, though I still bowled close to it the other night,” he remarked with a wry smile.

“My fitness level has never been that good. I'm playing half-fit [laughs] with hyper-extensive knees and joints. I had always carried niggles.”

When asked how felt at taking the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene on Saturday, Shoaib replied: “It was important for us to take a wicket when I came on and thankfully, I managed to get the wicket because Mahela is one of their best players. That was exactly what we had planned. In recent times, I think that is the best I've have bowled.”

Shoaib said the tag of underdogs suits Pakistan in this World Cup because it lessens the expectations of the people back home, but warned those who were writing-off this team.

“I think we have a point to prove to those who have already written off our chances in the World Cup. We are more comfortable with the fact that Pakistan are considered as dark horses. This thinking should work in favour as the tournament moves along and to me that's perfectly okay,” he noted.

“We are a wounded side and we're here to hurt the opposing teams. Ours is a good side and in Shahid Afridi we have a captain whom we all support. He's a bit hyper, but that is fine and we are there to help him out.”