The Pakistani cricket roller coaster continued a wild ride at the world games in the Bahamas this weekend. Coach Bob Woolmer died suddenly, found in his room in blood and vomit. What was thought to be an ironic swing in the Pakistani drama then turned ugly as rumors of murder swirled around the cricket world.
British papers like The Sun report Woolmer's death is suspicious. Indian new says Woolmer's demise was murder.
BOB WOOLMER'S death is being treated as suspicious by police in Jamaica.
The Pakistan coach, 58, was found unconscious in his hotel room on Sunday morning and was pronounced dead after being transferred to hospital.
Woolmer's team had suffered a shock World Cup defeat to Ireland the previous day which ended their chances of reaching the Super Eight stage in the West Indies.
Indian news says Woolmer's demise was murder.
Or so we thought. But the death of Woolmer, which is now suspected as a murder, must surely disabuse us of our fervent hopes. Cricket, dear cricket, is no longer the shining symbol of white innocence. No matter who killed him, and for whatever reason, the game's virginity has been compromised. There is no point in speculating who might have killed Woolmer. Money and shady deals would be at the root of this, like it is in most vile deeds of human beings.
Pakistani cricket is closely followed by the nation. Two stars 'fast bowlers' Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif tested positive for nandrolone last summer. The two were suspiciously reinstated by Pakistan, much to the chagrin nd howls of WADA. The cricket world, described as another religion was mortified by the ups and downs of the Pakistani team. From News.au.com:
Fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif tested positive to steroids but the Pakistan appeal board allowed them to be selected for the World Cup. They later withdrew because of alleged injuries. That the ICC had announced a heavy drug-testing program through the two months of the World Cup might have had more to do with their withdrawals. None of this would have sat well with Woolmer. He is said to have argued with Shoaib.
On St. Patrick's day, the Pakistani team,w ithout the two stars, lost unceremoniously to an unheralded Irish team. A few hours later their famous coach was dead. Not an ideal weekend for a troubled team.
CaribbeanCricket.com has confirmed that West Indies cricketers were told to stay indoors and keep their room doors locked as a result of new information from law enforcement that Woolmer may have been killed at the hands of an attacker.
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