Younis Khan expresses heartbreak, names late cricketer that could have taken Pakistan cricket to new heights

Younis Khan
Younis Khan

Highlights:

Younis Khan remembers Pakistan's former late head coach Bob Woolmer.

Woolmer was found dead in his hotel room in Jamaica

Pakistan's legendary batter Younis Khan remembered their former late head coach Bob Woolmer. He said that if he was alive then the country would have reached great heights. Woolmer who was coaching the Men in Green during 2007 ODI World Cup was found dead in his hotel room in Jamecia after Pakistan lost their do-or-die match against Ireland. 

 

Pakistan were out failed to perform in the marquee event as they got out of the tournament just after the first round. 

 

"I have no doubt that if Woolmer had remained head coach, Pakistan cricket would have been very different today, and he would have taken it to great heights," said Younis.

 

Younis also revealed that it was their regular routine to sit with  Bob (Woolmer) after every match but the team was not with him because they were out of the tournament. 

 

"I was very close to Bob (Woolmer) and it was our daily routine to sit down together after a match or nets to discuss cricket. Unfortunately the night he passed away, we didn't sit together as we had lost to Ireland "I was also out for a duck and was very upset with myself. So, I went to my room and locked myself in. Next day, I didn't see him at breakfast and later we learnt about his death," Younis said on a Pakistani TV channel.

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Younis added that Woolmer's death and the stress the players had to undergo in the West Indies changed his mind about captaining Pakistan on a long-term basis.

 

Woolmer's death was later ruled due to natural causes after the Pakistan Cricket Board and the government sent their own security officials to the Caribbean to work with the Jamaican police.

 

Younis said Woolmer had mentally prepared him to lead Pakistan for a long period in all formats after the World Cup.

 

"After what all happened in the World Cup, I changed my mind and I became a reluctant captain and had no long-term tenure in mind." Younis said that after Woolmer's death, the players were moved to another island where they were 

questioned for three days by the local police.

 

"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," he added.

 

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