March 18, 2007, was one of the saddest days in the history of cricket, as former England cricketer and well-known coach Bob Woolmer breathed his last, this day thirteen years ago.
Woolmer’s tragic death shocked everyone when former South Africa coach was found dead in his Kensington Oval Hotel room on March 18 – 24 hours after Pakistan knocked out of the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup following his side’s shocking defeat to newbies Ireland in West Indies.
Following the shocking defeat to Ireland, there was a lot of anger among the Pakistani fans as they took to the streets to burn the effigies of then captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and coach Woolmer.
But that anger soon turned into shock as the entire cricket world Cricket was shocked to its core after the Jamaican police declared that Woolmer was allegedly murdered following its initial investigation, though, three months later, they backed out of its initial statement and declared his death an accident.
Today (Wednesday, March 18), on Woolmer’s 13th death anniversary, Inzamam and Shoaib Malik took the time to remember their coach, paying moving tribute to former Pakistan coach with heartfelt messages on the social media.
Taking to Twitter, veteran all-rounder expressed his condolences towards Woolmer, as he wrote: “Miss you coach #RIPBobWoolmer.”
Meanwhile, Inzamam, former Pakistan captain, and former selector recorded a special tribute video for Woolmer and titled it ‘Fragrance of his memories’.
In the video, he can be seen saying: “Woolmer and I spent time together in the Pakistan team in the capacity of coach and captain. We shared many great moments together. He was the most organized coach that I ever came across. I got to learn a lot from him. He never used to force things upon the selectors. He simply used to bring me the stats and never undermined the captain with respect to the selection of players.”
The legend further revealed about the night after Pakistan’s defeat against Ireland, “When we lost the match against Ireland, we entered the dressing room very quietly. He asked me ‘what’s the plan?’ and I said ‘let’s talk tomorrow over breakfast’. But he never came for it. I went back to my room and got a call from someone asking to come to his room.”
Inzamam concluded, “Police had come to his floor and they didn’t allow me to go inside Woolmer’s room. He was taken to the hospital and soon news came that he was no more. The entire team was shocked. The doctors had declared the death as murder and we were all left stunned by it.”
Watch here:
(With Hindustan Times Inputs)
