Inzamam announces retirement from one-day cricket, captaincy

JAMAICA: Pakistan cricket skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq has announced to retire from one-day international cricket and team captaincy.Addressing his last press conference as Pakistan skipper here, Inzamam apologised Pakistani nation and his fans all around the world for losing yesterday's crucial match against Ireland. The match was considered the greatest upset in the history of cricket.Inzamam said he was saddened by coach Bob Woolmer's sudden demise, saying on behalf of his team that 'it's a great loss'. He added: "I take complete responsibility of yesterday's defeat."The skipper, who also resigned from Pakistan squad captaincy, said he and his boys did everything as per their abilities to perform well but unfortunately failed.He said he was happy for representing 17 years as batsman and 4 years as captain of Pakistan. He thanked PCB, former Pakistani captains and his seniors, his teammates, all his fans, and above all the Pakistani nation for supporting him throughout his cricketing career as a player and captain as well.

So long, Woolmer!

Bob Woolmer, Pakistan cricket team coach, died on Sunday morning in Kingston, Jamaica. He was 58 years of age. He was considered one of the best cricket coaches of the world. He introduced modern technique and methods in coaching, and was a pioneer in using computer-based analysis. Robert Andrew Woolmer was born on May 14, 1948 in Kanpur, India. As a right-hand batsman and right-arm medium-pace bowler, Woolmer played for England, Kent, Natal and Western Province. His first-class cricket spanned from 1968 to 1984, during which he played 19 Tests and six ODIs for England.Bob Woolmer made his Test debut in 1975 at the Lord’s against Australia. Earlier, he played his first ODI in 1972 at Manchester also against Australia. In his early stage of Test cricket for England, he joined Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket, but on his return he was not included in the national team. Later, he joined the rebel South African tour of 1981-82. However, an injury in 1984 forced him to take a premature retirement from cricket. In Test cricket, he scored 1,059 runs at an average of 33.09 with three hundreds, all against Australia. His highest score was 149, which he made only in his second Test. Besides, he appeared in six ODIs. He took four Test and nine ODI wickets. He was named one of Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year in 1976.His coaching career started in 1991 at Warwickshire till 1994, when he was appointed as coach of South Africa for two upcoming World Cups, in which South Africans showed highly impressive performances, especially in 1999. Later, he left the job when South Africa failed to win the 1999 World Cup semi-final against Australia to make their way for the final at Lord's.In 2001, he joined the ICC as high performance manager. Later in June 2004, he signed a coaching contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to take charge of Pakistan’s national team up to the 2007 World Cup.

PCB issues official statement of Woolmer's death

JAMAICA: PCB media manager PJ Mir read the official statement of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer's death before the media journalists present outside the University Hospital Kingston here today.The statement says: "Robert Andrew Woolmer, the Pakistan cricket team coach, has passed away today. The entire Pakistan team and management are shocked and saddened by his passing. His next of kin have been informed, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family. The chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board, Dr Nasim Ashraf, has also been informed. There will be a coroner inquest, and in keep the Jamaican law an autopsy will take place to determine the cause of his death. Further information will be provided at the earliest opportunity once it has been received from the hospital."

Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer passes away

KINGSTON, Jamaica: Pakistan coach BobWoolmer died in hospital on Sunday after being found unconsciousin his hotel room, the team's management told to media.

Earleir, the deceased was rushed to hospital in the emergency ward when he found unconscious in his hotel room.

"Bob Woolmer died in hospital," a team spokesman told reporters.

Bob's family and wife were informed by the team management about Bob's condition when he was brought to hospital, the spokesman said.

It was earlier reported that Woolmer was found at 1545 GMT on the floor of his hotel room unconscious and with signs of vomiting. An ambulance took him to the Kingston University Hospital.

Woolmer, who took charge of the Pakistan team in 2004, was seen late on Saturday night, but officials raised the alarm after not seeing him early on Sunday.

When they went to his hotel room, they saw he was unconscious.

Pakistan team manager Talat Ali, their South African based trainer Murray Stevenson and assistant manager Asad Mustafa went with Woolmer to the hospital where he was given medical attention.

Woolmer was last seen in public when he addressed the post-match media conference after his team's defeat to Ireland at Sabina Park.

He talked of the stresses of the coaching job.

"Doing it internationally, it takes a toll on you - the endless travelling and the non-stop living out of hotels."

His contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board was due toexpire on June 30 but it was widely expected he would part company with them after the World Cup which is scheduled to finish on April 28.

"I would like to sleep on my future as a coach," Woolmer said in Saturday's post-match news conference.

In his playing career, Woolmer appeared for Kent in the English county championship and played 19 Tests for England. He has also coached the South African national team.

It should be noted that Pakistan was knocked out of the World Cup on Sunday after a shock three-wicket defeat to Ireland.