Shoaib's fitness is a concern for captain Waqar
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Former fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz has dismissed Pakistan's chances of winning the World Cup because the team is too weak.
His words come after Pakistan's embarrassing 26-run defeat to provincial side Easterns in Benoni on Thursday.
Although Pakistan possess some of the most talented players in the world, consistency has long been a problem for captain Waqar Younis and coach Richard Pybus.
And injuries to key players during the past year have not helped their preparations for cricket's showpiece in South Africa.
But Nawaz, a veteran of 55 Tests, said he would be surprised if Pakistan managed to advance beyond the Super Sixes.
The one thing which can save Pakistan from defeat is the fitness of Shoaib Akhtar
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"The team is too weak. Physically, they are not in good condition," Nawaz told BBC Urdu.
"Most of the players are unfit and those who are fit are out of form.
"The fielding is weak and five players are near to retiring from international cricket.
"It's hard to predict that this team can win the World Cup."
The 54-year-old was particularly critical of the older generation in the 15-man squad.
"If the World Cup was not scheduled for this time, most of the older players could have easily retired from the international game six to eight months ago," he said.
Despite his pessimistic outlook, Nawaz believed Pakistan's chances of success rested on the shoulders of injury-prone fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar.
But he said only a fully fit Shoaib could inspire his side to victory on the fast and bouncy South African wickets.
Nawaz has been a controversial figure in Pakistani cricket.
He gave evidence at a match-fixing inquiry in Lahore in 2001, alleging two Pakistan matches during the 1999 World Cup in England were rigged.
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