'Pakistan media tried to disrupt Pakistan team spirit' - WOOLMER'S DIARY
Wed, 21 Mar 2007
Kingston (Jamaica), March 21 In the final posting on his website, late Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer said that he was 'disappointed' over reports in Pakistani media that tried to 'disrupt team spirit' during the World Cup.
'We are also very disappointed by the articles trying to disrupt team spirit appearing in our press in Pakistan, and would ask those who read this to ignore the drivel!' wrote Woolmer in his final 'Diary' item Friday - less than two days before he died in his hotel room in mysterious circumstances here.
Woolmer, 58, was found unconscious in the bathroom of his hotel room Sunday morning, a day after Pakistan shockingly lost to minnows Ireland in Group D and crashed out of the cricket World Cup. The former England player was declared dead upon reaching a local hospital.
It match was the 1992 World Cup winners' second defeat in two matches, having lost to the West Indies in the 16-nation tournament.
Woolmer begins his final 'diary' with the description of the team's final net practice at Kensington Oval followed by a fielding session at Sabina Park here.
'... then I had lunch with Danish (Kaneria, the leg-spinner) next to the pool and then went back to the room to catch up with the 'Diary' and a couple of articles and our final preparations for the team meeting this evening,' he wrote.
'We are aware of the importance not just of this game (against Ireland) but both (the third one against Zimbabwe) and we are very determined to do well.'
It was not to be, as Pakistan lost by three wickets and were ousted from the tournament, though they are scheduled to play the inconsequential match Zimbabwe Wednesday.
Woolmer, however, lauds Ireland's gritty performance in their earlier match against Zimbabwe, which ended in a thrilling tie. It gave qualifiers Ireland an unexpected point.
'Wow, what a game between Zimbabwe and Ireland. While we did not need reminding we saw a very committed Ireland side and Zimbabwe, who were gutted that they did not beat Ireland when they had the game by the throat,' he wrote.
'All credit to Ireland for sticking to their task,' said the man who had, ironically, groomed the Irish team as the International Cricket Council-appointed High Performance Manager before becoming Pakistan coach.
Woolmer further wrote: 'In the evening, I went out for supper with the leader of the Drum ensemble who played at the opening ceremony. Very interesting! We went to Courtney Walsh's restaurant and bar just down the road. We had some great food and a pleasant evening.'
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