Former Pakistan national cricket team coach Bob Woolmer passed away on this day (March 18) in 2007 days after the country suffered shock elimination from the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room few days after Pakistan was dismantled by minnows Ireland. In one of the greatest upsets in World cricket, Ireland bowled Pakistan out for 132, while chased down the target with 3-wickets in hand.
Initially, Police in Kingston suspected that the 58-year-old was murdered. However, it was later revealed that Woolmer passed away due to a cardiac arrest.
Pakistan’s elimination from the 2007 WC, accompanied by head coach Woolmer’s unfortunate passing away has got to be the Pakistan cricket’s worst time period.
Legendary pacer Shoaib Akhtar described the coach’s loss in these words: “It is a huge tragedy. We are not ready to believe this has happened. I am completely shattered, and what is going to happen I don’t know. He was a very dear man, he was a great leader and it’s an unbelievable tragedy.”
In one of his interviews in 2015, legendary middle-order batsman Muhammad Yousuf praised Woolmer saying that Pakistan needed a coach like the late tactician to develop the system.
“We need an established coach like the late Bob Woolmer who did a lot to improve our overall cricket mindset and team,” Yousuf celebrated the late coach in such words.
Woolmer joined Pakistan as the head coach in 2004, when the team was in a degree of turmoil. Managing a combination of youth and players in their twilight was a difficult ask, but Woolmer did make great progress with whatever he had in his 3-years as the team’s coach.
More than a decade after his demise, Pakistan’s cricket has changed dramatically. The consistent ups and downs are not entirely overcome, but things have been bigger and better for the Shaheens.
Woolmer’s death is deeply rooted in Pakistan’s cricketing history, and even the fans know of him as a leader who always worked for the better of the game in the country.
Days prior to his death, Woolmer had told Inzamam-ul-Haq that ‘I wish I had not fallen in love with Pakistan’. Such was his adoration of the country and for that reason, he will always be remembered as a hero.