Pakistan’s legendary batter Younis Khan remembered their former late head coach Bob Woolmer. He said that if he was alive then the country would have reached great heights. Bob Woolmer who was coaching the Men in Green during 2007 ODI World Cup was found dead in his hotel room in Jamaica after Pakistan lost their do-or-die match against Ireland.
Younis Khan, a member of the crestfallen side at the 2007 World Cup, has no doubts that if Woolmer had remained head coach, Pakistan cricket would have been very different today. Less than 24 hours after Pakistan were dumped out of the ICC World Cup, Bob Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room in Jamaica. Pakistan’s heartbreaking defeat to minnows Ireland sanctioned the premature exit of the Green Army at the time.
Bob Woolmer’s untimely death a setback to cricket world.
ICC’s World Cup carnival in the Caribbean was brought to a terrible halt on March 18, 2007 – the day after Pakistan suffered a shocking exit from the showpiece event. Bob Woolmer, the then coach of the Pakistan side, was found unconscious in his hotel bathroom. He later died in hospital. The ex-Pakistan head coach was 58. A feeling of deep sadness fell over the entire cricket fraternity when Bob Woolmer passed away.
What players had to undergo in the Caribbean after Bob Woolmer’s demise changed Younis’ mind about leading the Pakistani side. Younis credited Woolmer for mentally preparing him to lead Pakistan for a long period across formats. Inzamam-ul-Haq’s Pakistan side was outplayed by Ireland in the low-scoring encounter at Kingston. Younis, Pakistan’s highest Test run-getter, was dismissed for a three-ball duck in Ireland’s three-wicket win over the 1992 world champions.
Former Pakistan cricketer Younis Khan shared his thoughts on the same remembering great Bob Woolmer
” Had Bob Woolmer had remained head coach, he would have taken Pakistan cricket to great heights” exclaims Younis Khan post WT20 debacle
Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan believes the side would have touched tremendous heights if the late Bob Woolmer was alive and remained their head coach. Bob Woolmer was Pakistan’s head coach from 2004 to 2007, when the side won an ODI series in India 4-2 and drew the Test series 1-1.
Bob Woolmer also coached South Africa from 1994 to 1999, arguably their most dominant period, helping them win their lone ICC title in the 1998 Champions Trophy.
Unfortunately, he was found dead in the hotel room after Pakistan’s shocking defeat to Ireland that knocked them out of the 2007 ODI World Cup in the West Indies. Speaking on a local TV channel, Younis felt Pakistan cricket would have hit great heights had Woolmer been alive and coaching them
“I have no doubt that if Woolmer had remained head coach, Pakistan cricket would have been very different today, and he would have taken it to great heights,” said Younis.
Recalling Bob Woolmer’s death, Younis added:
“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 learnt about his death.”
Woolmer’s death was later deemed to be due to natural causes after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the government’s security personnel worked with the Jamaican police.
Bob Woolmer passed away during Pakistan’s dismal 2007 ODI World Cup
After years of consistent results, Pakistan under Bob Woolmer’s coaching entered the 2007 ODI World Cup among the favorites. However, they suffered a 54-run defeat to hosts West Indies in the tournament opener.
Despite the setback, Pakistan were expected to roll through Ireland and Zimbabwe to qualify for the Super Eights. Yet, a lackluster batting performance saw Pakistan bowled out for 132 against Ireland, as the Irish side sealed the chase in the 42nd over with three wickets remaining.
The loss eliminated Pakistan from the tournament with one inconsequential game against Zimbabwe left. Woolmer passed away the day after the defeat to Ireland before the Zimbabwe clash, much to the shock of the entire cricket world. The Inzamam-ul-Haq-led side still played the game against Zimbabwe and won by a massive 93 runs through the D/L method before returning home from the disappointment of the World Cup and the shock of losing Bob Woolmer.