Younis Khan revealed that Pakistani players were moved to another island and questioned for three days by local police after the death of coach Bob Woolmer during the 2007 ICC World Cup. Woolmer, aged 58, was found unconscious in his hotel bathroom the day after Pakistan‘s shocking exit from the tournament and later died in hospital.
Incident Details
Younis Khan, a member of the Pakistan team during the 2007 World Cup, recalled the traumatic experience following Woolmer’s death. The team, already devastated by their loss to Ireland and early exit from the World Cup, faced intense scrutiny and questioning by the police. Younis described the experience as “like torture,” emphasizing the emotional and mental strain on the players.
Younis’ Reflections
In an interview with a Pakistani TV channel, Younis expressed his belief that Woolmer would have led Pakistan cricket to greater heights had he remained head coach. Younis credited Woolmer for preparing him mentally to lead Pakistan across formats. However, the tragic events and subsequent questioning deeply impacted Younis and his perception of leadership.
“It was like a torture for us there. While I fully understand the responsibilities a player has to show as an ambassador of his country, it should be the other way round… authorities must also look after us,” Younis recalled.
Woolmer’s Last Moments
Younis recounted his close relationship with Woolmer, sharing their routine of discussing cricket after matches. On the night of Woolmer’s death, they did not meet as usual due to the team’s loss and Younis’ personal disappointment at being dismissed for a duck. The next morning, Woolmer was found dead, a moment that left a lasting impact on Younis and the entire cricket community.
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