Detectives are investigating whether Bob Woolmer was murdered after a fall-out with his Pakistani players over their dismal performance against Ireland in the cricket World Cup. Officers suspect that an explosive argument - rather than a hitman - was behind the murder of the former England batsman hours after Pakistan had crashed out of the contest following an unexpected defeat by Ireland eight days ago. | "They are young Pakistani boys out of their homeland. Although they have travelled widely, they have never had this type of experience in their lives" |
There were widespread rumours yesterday of an angry clash between Mr Woolmer, who coached the Pakistan team, and a player, or players, on the bus back to the hotel after the match.
His relationships with some players were already strained in the build-up to the tournament. Pervez Mir, the spokesman for the Pakistan team, revealed last night that Mr Woolmer had been due to see Inzamam-ul-Haq, the team captain, on the day he died, but the meeting never took place. It had been arranged to discuss the player's future, but he had already decided he intended to step down as captain of the one-day team. Inzamam and the team's bowling coach, Mushtaq Ahmed, were spoken to by detectives last night, only hours before they were due to fly home. Inzamam had already checked out of his room and had his luggage with him when the police arrived. The Pakistani team spokesman said the officers were simply trying to cover a few routine questions not previously dealt with.
| The Pakistan players will stay in London to pray and reflect before returning home |
It emerged last night that Mr Woolmer had offered his resignation as Pakistan's coach - a post he had held for three years - only hours before he was strangled. He sent an email from his laptop in Jamaica to Nasim Ashraf, the Pakistan cricket board chairman, saying he wanted to retire to spend the rest of his life with his family in Cape Town.
Detectives in Jamaica have concentrated their inquiries on the Pakistan squad since the police announced that Mr Woolmer had been murdered in "extraordinary and evil circumstances". Officers have taken statements and DNA samples from the players, who were staying at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston where Mr Woolmer was found unconscious. Two Pakistani diplomats arrived from Washington (!) yesterday to handle the fallout from the murder. Police are also thought to be investigating whether Mr Woolmer's killer, or killers, used a spare or stolen key card to get into his 12th floor room.
The team arrived at Heathrow this morning and are expected to remain in London at least overnight before returning home. , according to hospitality manager Dalawar Choudhry. Mr Chaudhry said he had been speaking to the team during the past week and everyone was "devastated" by what had happened to Bob Woolmer who, he said, had been a "father figure" to the players. "All of the camp were very, very down. They are young Pakistani boys out of their homeland. Although they have travelled widely, they have never had this type of experience in their lives," he added. | Neither had Mr. Woolmer, I reckon. |
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