 Woolmer coached South Africa at two World Cups |
The duo saw doping bans overturned last year but the World Anti-Doping Agency want the suspensions to be reinstated.
"As far as Pakistan goes, it's been resolved but obviously other people want to get involved," Woolmer said.
"This is hanging over their heads. So in an obtuse way, it's best for them and the team that they're not here."
Shoaib and Asif were selected for the original Pakistan World Cup squad, but failed to convince the selectors they had recovered from injury in time.
Akhtar, 32 this year, who was initially banned for two years in November, was hoping to play in his third World Cup, having taken 27 wickets from 16 previous matches in the competition, but has been troubled by a hamstring problem.
Asif, 24, whose suspension was originally one year, has not played in a World Cup before, but was denied the opportunity this year by an elbow injury.
Mohammad Sami and Yasir Arafat have been added to the squad, and Woolmer is confident Pakistan can be a major force in the Caribbean.
"We're going to give everyone a run," he said. "It's going to be interesting because no one really knows what the surfaces are going to hold but our chances are as good as anybody's."
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