Twelve months after the death of Bob Woolmer, former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has admitted he will never forget the inspirational cricket coach.

“Pakistan cricket will always be indebted to Bob Woolmer for his contribution to the game,” Inzamam said in an interview to mark the first anniversary of the former England Test batsman’s death, which sent shock waves through the sport and cast a shadow over the 2007 World Cup.

“I want to forget the tragedies of the World Cup, but I can never forget Bob. He was not only an excellent coach, but also a very good human being.”

Woolmer, 58, who had also coached South Africa, was found dead in his hotel room in Jamaica on March 18, just a day after Pakistan had been sensationally knocked out of the World Cup following a shock defeat to Ireland.
The tragedy was initially treated as murder with some commentators insisting Woolmer was killed to prevent him blowing the whistle on illegal betting.  However, after the biggest manhunt in Jamaican history and following months of wild speculation, an inquest jury in October eventually returned an open verdict on Woolmer’s death.
Inzamam was so shattered by the events that he quit one-day cricket  immediately after Pakistan’s doomed Caribbean campaign.

“He was helpful to all and very accommodating. He always thought about the team and saw to it that we kept improving,” added Inzamam, who also quit Test cricket in October last year.

“After the defeat to Ireland, we were all depressed but Bob was trying to console everyone and was trying to convince us that it was just a bad day and things would improve for the team.

“He asked me what my plans were. I told him that my mind was not working and we would talk the following day, but that opportunity never came and we got the shocking news of his death.”

Woolmer had himself ruled out any hasty decision over his own future .

‘Deeply hurt’
“I’m deeply hurt and I don’t know how this is going to affect me, but I will let you know,” Woolmer had said following the defeat.

Former leg-spinner  Mushtaq Ahmed said Woolmer was an inspiration for all those he coached.

“Bob was successful at the County level , then lifted South Africa and was hoping to build Pakistan into a great team before he met a cruel end,” said Mushtaq.