Pakistan rallied around Inzamam-ul-Haq on Wednesday to ensure his last match was a proper tribute for late coach Bob Woolmer and not another debacle.
Imran Nazir clobbered 160 and Inzamam added 37 from 32 balls in Pakistan’s rain-interrupted, 93-run World Cup win over Zimbabwe on Wednesday.
”We dedicate this game to Bob because he was a wonderful person,” Inzamam said. ”He’s not in this world now and every Pakistani and every cricket lover is sad.”
The 37-year-old Inzamam announced soon after Woolmer’s death that he would quit as captain and retire from one-day cricket after his 378th match.
”I’m also very sad and what’s why I’m emotional, also after playing 16 or 17 years,” said Inzamam, who was moved to tears both after his innings and at the end of the match.
While Inzamam was dedicating the victory to Woolmer, a police forensics team was working in the 12th-floor room of a Jamaica hotel where the Pakistan coach was found unconscious on Sunday.
Although senior police have said Woolmer’s sudden death was suspicious, authorities continue to say nothing points to homicide.
Woolmer died on Sunday in hospital, a day after the St Patrick’s Day upset loss to Ireland that ended Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the second round.
Ireland, in their World Cup debut, were guaranteed a place in the second round after Pakistan’s win, taking some pressure off in the last group-D match against the undefeated West Indies. Both teams are guaranteed of advancing.
Sri Lanka are on the brink of reaching the Super Eights after a 198-run win over Bangladesh, who had stunned India by five wickets three days earlier.
Already through to the Super Eights are Australia and South Africa, who meet on Saturday to determine top place in group A, and New Zealand, who play Canada on Thursday. Ireland, with a win and a tie, and the West Indies play on Friday.
At Sabina Park, Nazir set up a mammoth total of 349 all out off 49,5 overs. It was Pakistan’s highest World Cup total to date and the biggest in a limited-overs international at the ground.
Nazir lashed 14 fours and eight sixes off 121 balls. Set a revised target after two-and-a-half hours were lost to rain, Zimbabwe were all out for 99 in the last of their allotted 20 overs.
The Pakistan players plan to remain in Jamaica until Saturday, although there is no certainty the police investigation into Woolmer’s death will be completed by then.
On Wednesday, police interviewed staff at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, where Woolmer died, but no one has been identified as a suspect in his death, police Assistant Commissioner Les Green told Radio Jamaica.
Police will question the Pakistan cricketers, police Deputy Commissioner Mark Shields said.
Veteran Pakistani batsman Younis Khan said the coach’s death and fallout made it difficult to concentrate on playing Zimbabwe.
”It was very difficult for us, like playing without our father — [Woolmer] was like that for us.” Khan said. ”It has been a bad two days. Everybody is hurting and nobody knows what’s happening next.” — Sapa-AP