The death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer is being treated as ”suspicious”, Jamaica’s police Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields said on Tuesday.
Woolmer (58) was found unconscious in his hotel room in Jamaica on Sunday morning and was pronounced dead after being transferred to hospital.
His death came a day after Pakistan was stunned by Ireland on Saturday, ending their chances of advancing further in the World Cup.
At a late-night news conference at the team’s hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, police said they now have ”sufficient information to continue a full investigation into the death of Mr Woolmer, which we are now treating as suspicious”.
The full statement read: ”At the press conference earlier today [Tuesday] we reported that the cause of death was inconclusive. Having met with the pathologist, other medical personnel and investigators, there is now sufficient information to continue a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr Woolmer, which we are now treating as suspicious.
”We have already informed the Woolmer family of this development and we are also in close contact with the Pakistan team management, Cricket World Cup and ICC [International Cricket Council] to ensure all parties are kept informed of the ongoing investigation.”
Asked directly if Jamaica police were pursuing a murder investigation, Shield said: ”No, we are not saying that.”
The news conference in Jamaica was called after reports emerged in Pakistan’s print and electronic media of a murder plot.
Earlier on Tuesday, Shields said authorities were waiting for a comprehensive report from doctors.
Pakistan play Zimbabwe on Thursday in their last World Cup match. After two losses, Pakistan have no chance of reaching the second round.
At an earlier news conference in Kingston, team officials asked the media not to ”try and spread rumours” about Pakistani players being forced to stay in Jamaica as part of police investigations.
Resignations
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head Naseem Ashraf and the organisation’s three-member selection committee resigned over the losses to the West Indies and Ireland and their humiliating exit from the World Cup.
The resignations were submitted to the country’s President, General Pervez Musharraf — the patron of the Pakistan board.
”Ashraf faxed his resignation last [Monday] night and it’s now up to the patron whether he accepts it or not,” board spokesperson Ahsan Malik said.
Pakistan’s cricket programme has been reeling since Saturday’s loss.
”The fact of the matter is that Pakistan’s cricket is at the crossroads,” said chief selector Wasim Bari, a former Test wicketkeeper for Pakistan.
Former Test bowlers Iqbal Qasim and Ehteshamuddin were the other members of the selection committee who also tendered their resignations.
”We had decided soon after the debacle against Ireland that we are going to resign,” Bari said. ”After talking with Ashraf last night, we had submitted our resignations to the PCB.”
Meanwhile, the Pakistani players dedicated themselves to winning their final match for Woolmer.
Inzamam-ul-Haq, who announced his resignation as captain and retirement from one-day cricket following Woolmer’s death, said the team owe Woolmer a victory.
”We’ll do our best for Bob, but whatever we do, it won’t be enough,” the 37-year-old batsman said. ”He was a good man. Whenever any of the boys had a problem, he’d sit with them, and we were very attached to him.
”He was a very good coach and human being. Because of this, he had a lot of respect from the team. He was brave and knew how to handle the situation when everybody was feeling down. He will be well remembered.” — Sapa-AP