"It was like torture" - Younis Khan recalls suspicious acts after Bob Woolmer’s mysterious death
Published - 23 Jul 2024, 11:24 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 01:16 AM
Former Pakistan cricketer Younis Khan recounted the challenging circumstances his team endured after coach Bob Woolmer’s mysterious death in 2007. Younis Khan described the situation as "torture," with players being moved to a separate island and extensively questioned by local authorities for three days.
On March 18, 2007, the cricket world was struck by tragedy when Bob Woolmer, the then-coach of the Pakistan side, was found unconscious in his hotel room. The incident occurred a day after Pakistan's unexpected exit from the ODI World Cup in the West Indies. Woolmer later passed away in the hospital.
Pakistan suffered an early exit from the World Cup after a loss to Ireland. Woolmer coached Pakistan from 2004 to 2007 and led them to a 4-2 ODI series win in India and a 1-1 Test series draw. Woolmer also coached South Africa from 1994 to 1999, guiding them to their sole ICC title in the 1998 Champions Trophy.
Like A Torture For Us There - Younis Khan
Speaking to a Pakistani TV channel, Younis Khan recalled Bob Woolmer's death during the ODI World Cup 2007. Younis stated the team was relocated to a different island, where they faced intense questioning by local police for three days.
“It was like a torture for us there. While I fully understand the responsibilities a player has to show as an ambassador of his country, it should be the other way round... authorities must also look after us,” Younis recalled.
The authorities eventually concluded that Woolmer's death resulted from natural causes after the Pakistan Cricket Board, government security personnel, and Jamaican police collaborated on the investigation.
Was Very Close To Bob Woolmer - Younis Khan
Younis Khan praised Bob Woolmer for preparing him mentally to lead Pakistan in different formats. He mentioned that he and Woolmer often discussed cricket after matches or practice. However, he noted that they did not meet on the night Woolmer passed away because he was upset about his duck.
"I was very close to Bob (Woolmer) and it was our daily routine to sit down together after a match or nets to discuss cricket. Unfortunately, the night he passed away, we didn't sit together as we had lost to Ireland. I was also out for a duck and was very upset with myself. So, I went to my room and locked myself in. Next day, I didn't see him at breakfast and later we learned about his death," Younis added.
Pakistan started the 2007 ODI World Cup with a 54-run loss to the West Indies. They managed to score just 132 against Ireland in their second match. Ireland chased down the target in the 42nd over with three wickets remaining. Woolmer passed away the next day before their final game against Zimbabwe.
The Inzamam-ul-Haq-led team won their final World Cup match against Zimbabwe by 93 runs through the D/L method. They returned home with a mix of disappointment from their World Cup performance and shock over Bob Woolmer’s death.
