Bob Woolmer sacrificed(for an ideal, belief) his life to Pakistan cricket.He is a mateyr for pakistan cause. He should be awarded Pakistan's highest civilian medal of honour to recogonise his services to the team.
Bob's services not only included coaching the pakistan team in the field of cricket but also it seems that he put up with a lot of the unruly behaviour of the uneducated and uncivilised players silently.

I can't believe it.....everything happend so quickly,Pakistan loss to Ireland,now these news its too much to take.shock over shock.I must say that last day loss would have too much on him.God bless him.

I offer my deepest of condolences to Bob's family. What a shocker, I'm stunned!!!

Kamran's crticism of Bob Woolmer has always been healthy and constructive, unlike some other sections of the press and some ex-cricketers, who's prerogative was to demean Bob no matter what.

Bob Woolmer was indeed a great man and a coach and he did go on Mission Impossible when he decided to be associated with Pakistan Cricket. I have been following his Q&As on his website and other articles, and he has always taken on criticism bravely but he was equally blunt and harsh on those who were deliberately trying to make his life miserable. I just hope and pray that his death had nothing to do with Pakistan's loss to Ireland and Pakistan's premature exit from the world cup. May God rest his soul in peace.

RIP Bob,
Everything from yesterday has changed with the this sad news. My condolences to Mrs. Woolmer and family. Pakistan will miss Bob.

I more than anyone feel at this time and very shocked and saddend by the Death of Bob Woolmer, I hope the Pakistan team can live with themselves after this? because in my eyes they are the ones behind the death. I have had made remarks towards Bob Woolmer's coaching style, but today I learnt a valuble lesson in that Pak Cricket meant more to him than the rest of the Pak Squad? Bob let his life go of his like, so as not to appear a villian and bady in the Eyes of the Pakistani Public and media as winning was everything to him??? Afterall he had nothing to Cheer about after the 2 w/c games??? I hope Inzi through some miracle of Allah get's to hear about this blog and my review, as I blame him for the death along with the rest of the failing pakistani cricket team of losers. I am really upset. No man or women should die in this manner. RIP Bob Woolmer, I am so sorry. Best Wishes to your loved family in this difficult time.

R.I.P Bob.
The best coach PAKISTAN has ever had.

My condolences to his family.

We pakistan fans are evry ungrteful and did not realise what a coach we had.

Reminds me of a old sayin you dont know what you got until its gone.

May everyone pay there respects to a man worthy of respect.

Heartfelt condolences to Bob Woolmers family and the cricketing community at large on his untimely and tragic death. He deserved better.
It is also a tragic death for Pakistan cricket because they had a chance with this man.
After the Ireland defeat there was only one man in my humble opinion that one could trust to speak the truth at the inquest because the rest of the management and team will be bound by internal politics. Lets hope that they learn a final lesson from a very good and humble man.
Rest in peace Bob.

its a very sad day, not only for Pakistan Cricket but World Cricket.
May his soul rest in peace.
He'll always be remembered as a great couch and a great man.

The sad from for cricket, a man who regardless of the challanges he faced with the Pakistan changed the face of coaching in the 90's. One of the pioneers of innovation, he bought a new approach in the way teams handled opposition skills, strengths and weaknesses. He tried his best to change the face of Pakistani cricket, ultimately the same old Pakistan system failed him. But as kamran said he was brave enough to take the challange.
More than Pakistan, it's the cricketing world that would miss him. His creativity and talent, something he still had to offer to the world.

The dark clouds that have been over the pakistani cricket team since Ovalgate continue to rage on. I think i can speak for ever pakistani when i say I am depressed. RIP Bob Woolmer

This is very devastating news, if I was at his place and his position probably I would have died too.Pakistan cricket mainly the team and the board should learn something from this incident and do something, definitely Inzamam should be sacked since he put everything on luck and according to Imran Khan's statement in Daily Jang online that you can't blame everything on luck!You have to go out, make strategy and play cricket.My condolences to Bob's family, he was a great professional, he tried and died for the game.

Thanks

Kamran, I am surprised to know that some readers have rebuked your open letter to Bob. The tragedy is totally unexpected and comes as a shock and more importanly it showed us who was sincere and more passionate about Pakistan cricket. As I wrote in my last email to you, the other two you mentioned in your letter have not even hinted of rendering a resignation. On the issue of adddressing in Urdu, I must say that the IQ of Naseem Ashraf is so abysmal that I even doubt whether he earned his MBBS degree or bought it. Linking the promotion of tourism with the Urdu only policy was dire. However sticking to the current tragedy of losing Bob, I want to express my deep sorrow at his death. Last night after the exit, myself and my friends were praying that somehow we can get rid of Inzamam, Naseem Ashraf, Saleem Altaf and Wasim Bari, while Bob gets a free reign to coach.

May his soul rest in peace and sincere condolences to his family.

Allah hafiz
Asad, UK

Bob Woolmer was a good coach and he will be missed..Pakistan needed him but they let him down!!

A great coach who can make average team a great team but from my point of view Bob did'nt failed its once again the system of our country cricket

Sad loss for word cricket. Bob was a very proud man (what do pakistani team know about pride.. just money money, fights) and he must have really hurt after pakistan's loss against ireland. He wasn't pakistani but being a professionsl he dreamt about seeing pakistan win the cup. If pakistis team dont know the word pride, learn it now for GOD's sake. It wasn't Bob's fault if players didn't do the way they were coached. Players would still end up with millions of rupees but a decent and great coach has lost his life. Shame on you pakistani team.

My apologies to all the so called ex. great players that they dont have to pick on Bob anymore because he was english and gora (as Zaheer Abbas used to call to curse him in his interviews)... shame on you... My blood boils but its of no use. PCB's marry go round would carry on.

'REST IN PEACE BOB, TRUE CRICKET LOVERS WOULD MISS YOU AND THANKS FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU DID FOR THIS COUNTRY'.

I feel sorry for Inzi and the whole team for the shocking loss. (let's face it. if the minnows fancy a win against a major team, it has got to be india/pak since these two teams are vulnerable any day)

I am even more appalled by Bob's death. He was a pioneer coach who applied statistics and in-depth analysis to great effect. He would think out batsmen. Nowadays many coaches try to emulate him with a laptop, but they can only go as far as that.

He made SA a great outfit.Hats off BOB!

SO LONG BOB WOOLMER..YOU WILL BE MISSED..MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

Bob Woolmer's demise is a most grievous occurence, and that it came so close to the worst defeat in Pakistan's history - no doubt the shame and ignominy of the defeat had a lot to do with Bob Woolmer's demise. He indeed was a professional trying to instill professionalism into a bunch of talented but obtuse and unprofessional cricketer's - totally nonserious and unaccountable for their actions. Look at people like Younis Khan, misbehaving prior to the Champion's trophy - what did his attitudinal "puppet captain" remark actually result in - a shameful exit from world stage. Look at Inzamam, now the bastion of Pakistan batting, the manner of his dismissal against a "minnow" team in his 350+something one dayer.

The solution is only in the hands of the PCB, not only shopuld it be fired and run independently and democratically, but it should be transparent to the public. There are millions of things to discuss. What happened to school cricket..what happened to club cricket...what happened to making better grounds and wickets...what happened to the famed "Cricket Academy"...lastly what happened to national pride. What's happening in World cricket today is what happened in Field Hockey almost 2 decades ago - changing rules and fitness and indeed game standards are changing and evolving - our board our government and our President are looking on as our cricket is deteriorating, along with our country. Better not play and withdraw our status as an international team until we can really become competitive.

Very nice article there Kamran, words cant express how deeply saddening the death of bob Woolmer is. What a sad day for his family and Pakistan cricket.

Ill just end it off with saying RIP Bob, may Allah bless your soul for your contributions to pakistani cricket.

As one who follows Pakistani cricket with from afar (living in snowy Maine, USA), I am greatly saddened by Bob Woolmer's demise.
He took on the impossible task, trying to coach the uncoachable and died trying. When all is said and done all Pakistanis know they have lost a loyal friend and will miss him dearly. I know he will be missed by those he coached.
I sincerly hope the PCB will do something suitable honour his loyalty.
God Bless him!

kamram i have nothing to say to you at the moment i just wanted to use your article to submit my deapest regret and i have only respect for him and my sympathies are with his family and the pakistan team that should be like a family to him by now

From whatever I've ever read and seen of the man, What he wrote and conveyed through his columns, You could never trace any malice. He showed exemplary patience in the face of all the crisis he faced during the build up to this tournament.

He had only one passion, and as Allan Donald says, he might as well have paid for it. He earned respect, he deserved it, It is a sad way to go for such a humble man who performed his duties professionally and humbly. He has my respect forever. May God have mercy on his soul.

yea i'm very saddened by the passing away of bob woolmer. he was a good coach, and had his players supported him more, pakistan would have won more matches, achieved consistency(something they have lacked in the past), and bob woolmer would have been a more successful coach. whatever it was with him, i'm still shocked by this tragedy. and i'm concerned about the future of pakistan cricket.

IT IS VERY BIG LOSS TO WORLD CRICKET AND PAKISTAN CRICKET, AS BOB HAS TAKEN WITH HIM THE INVENTIVE WAYS OF HIS TO LIFT THE GAME OF CRICKET AND TO MAKE IT MORE COMPETITIVE. pAKISTAN LOST HIS WAY IN THIS WORLD CUP LITTLE BIT BECAUSE OF BOB INSTEAD IT HAS LOST BECAUSE OF IT HAS LOST BECAUSE OF POOR FORM OF PLAYERS AND THEIR INABILITY TO PLAY OUT OF SUBCONTINENT. GIVE BOB A DIFFERENT TEAM LIKE SA INDIA OR AUTRALIA HE CAN DO WONDERS WITH THEM BUT WITH PAKISTAN TEAM HAVING INZI, YOUNIS, RANA, KANERIA, HAFEEZ SAMI AKMAL YOU ONLY CAN THINK OF LOSING.....
SORY TO SAY THIS FOR MY AFRIDI'S TEAM BUT ITS FACT.
I AM SORRY FOR YOU BOB.
JIMDHILLON CANADA

OH My GOD!!! I feel Deeply sorry for him, what Tragedy! he was just couldn`t intake the Loss! istead 15 Guys of Pakistani Team should have died from Shame other then him. he was the best pushed in political dogma of tableegi Jamaat which has intrench itseld in Pakistan National Team!
Inzimam it should have been you!!!

Bob Woolmer (May his soul rest in peace) was a man failed by a system, and the entire pakistani cricket fraternity should be proud of a man who was so hurt by failure that he lost the will to live! The sense of loss is overwhelming!

great loss!!!.As a pakistani i feel horrible that in his last match pakistan team probably gave him the worst result that they could give him as a team under his coaching..may his soul rest in peace.

Just when I posted my comment to Kamran’s ‘Open letter to Inzy, Bob, and the Doc’, I heard the shocking news on Geo at around 6:15pm UK time that he had a serious heart attack and just minutes after that I got the confirmation of his death! I was speechless for a moment and felt unbelievable pain over his sad demise. I was mourning the death of Pakistan’s cricket but I did not know that it will be for Bob Woolmer after few hours of Pakistan’s humiliating exit from the WC!

As I mentioned earlier in my previous comments that when I woke up on Sunday morning I felt as if someone in my family has died! I did not know that this feeling was for Bob Woolmer  We had complaints regarding the performance how Pakistan team played and has been playing recently but as a person had nothing bad for him in my heart and now I feel that cricket gave him such an unbearable shock that he could not live with it. Death and life is in the hands of God but when sad consequences like this lead to someone’s sudden loss of life, this can only be described as TRAGEDY. What a black day in Pakistan Cricket’s history. This will always be remembered for all the wrong reasons. I feel v v v v v bad over his sad, tragic sudden death. Winning or losing is part of a game I know. I was devastated over Pakistan’s lost against Ireland but I did not know that it will cost Bob Woolmer’s life……… I have no words to express my grievances. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family in South Africa. A man who lived for cricket and died for it. God rest his soul in peace Amen.

What a sad day for Pakistan Cricket.
This man gave us his all (including his life), and it was never good enough for us.
Why have we still not heard a condolence message from PCB yet.
What a sad day for all who love cricket.
Osman,
CT, USA

I was also shocked at the defeat, but Bob Woolmer's death puts things in perspective. It is just a game. May Bob's soul rest in peace.

Amen

A great tragedy for the world of cricket... a person who tried his best to work in an autocratic organization such as the PCB where the captain of the cricket team has more say than anyone in the selecting process.The shameless performace of the pakistani cricket team took its toll indirectly to some extent in his departure from this world (may god rest his soul in peace) but Inzaman's dictatorship style of leadership COULD have more to do with his untimely demise,than meets the eye.IT's very obvious that he took this defeat and the one against the Windies.,to heart more than any of us.IT's also very clear that he had made it very clear in his previous interviews,of the autocracy of Inzaman in the selection process.Had Sami been playing in the match against the Windies in place of Inaman's favorit e stooge Rana, we would have won the gane against them and would not have caused the heartache that millions of us Pakistanis are facing today and hence this deplorable tragedy of Bob woolmer,which could definately be triggered by the fact of us not making it to the super 8.The only way Inaman can pay tribute to the late Bob Woolmer is to resign..as a captain AND AS A PLAYER,AND TAKE ATLEAST 75% BLAME FOR BOB'sTRAGIC UNTIMELY DEATH AND FOR THE MISERIES OF THE PAKISTAN'S PERFORMANCE.Agaimn may god rest his soul in peace and give strength to his family to bear this horrible reality of life. Khuda Hafiz

A very sad day for Pakistan and Criket indeed.He worked very hard for the team even with our inconsistent system of management.He will be missed his professionalism will be missed.God bless his soul and give his family the strength to bear this huge loss.
Ahmad

i think pakistans loss in the world cup was ment to be as now it can be partially blamed for the loss of Bob Woolmer, fate had something to do here. i just like to forget pakistan cricket for months to come this is just very sad Bobs loss and Pakistans too.

I felt saddened by this sudden loss of such a wonderful person who was so much passionate about cricket and spreading it by his coaching. Given the history and all the intrigue associated with Pakistan cricket, he was a brave man to accept this job even. The fact that Bob failed in his mission reflects very poorly on Pakistan cricket system and I am sure even his untimely demise would be brushed off as a lost cause. Given the performance of this team in the world cup, I am sure he would have felt hurt and upset like millions other fans and neutrals alike who still crave to see bowlers like Akram in full flight against Sachin. Being a nutral I hope Pakistan cricket recovers from it and will aprreciate his mission to improve Pakistan cricket, for which he was given a stick by people who just have commercial interest at their heart. RIP Bob and thank you for all the glorius moments you gave us with South Africa and Pakistan.

KISMET, there was no other way by KISMET to prove that bob woolmers dedication towards pakistan team except by death,had bob been alive he along with inzy would had been blamed for the shocking exist out of the world cup,and now blaming inzy for exist would be the most idiotic belief,does inzy too has to die to prove that he alone isnt responsible for the exist?
the real culprit for the shocking exist of pakistan team is pakistanis themselves,they proved their stupidity by not electing IMRAN KHAN as pakistans prime minister,the main person behind pakistans shocking exist is NASIM ASHRAF ,and this "great" decision to make him PCB was by pervez musharraf,
kamran akmals and umar guls throwing their wicket when their job was to play full 50 overs,had they played full 50 overs pak would had made around 160 runs,and KISMET knows pak would had won
so, the things to be blamed for shocking pak exist is= 1)KISMET
2}NASIM ASHRAF
3}PERVEZ MUSHARRAF
and if pakistanis have even a little sensibility and understanding of cricket left,they should blame inzy and make IMRAN KHAN AS P.C.B chief for life,if they dont have the intelligence enough of making imran khan as pakistans prime minister,cause besides ALLAH, its only IMRAN KHAN who can save both pakistan and pakistani cricket team
GOD BLESS PAKISTAN

Kamran,
I couldn't agree with your comments more. Bob Woolmer was one of the most innovative thinkers in modern cricket, and is largely responsible for several advances in the way the game is coached at the international level. The best leaders in any field, corporate or sport, are the ones that are open to criticism and take it in their stride. Bob Woolmer certainly sounds like he fit that description.

At the end of the day, this is just a sport. I am not Pakistani, but I really hope that fans in Pakistan understand how much their team, their culture and their spirit meant to Bob. He paid with his life - calling for his arrest and burning effigies was out of place to begin with. My condolences go out to his family.

PP

Great man Great coach .My condolences to his family.

why why why why did it happend ?? my condolences to his family :( a cant take it any more

The news of Bob Woolmer's death is certainly more shocking than Pakistan's defeat at the hands of Ireland

I guess the poor guy couldnt have given a bigger price then this to prove his commitment to the team. As part of a nation in which people dont even bother to tender their resignations when they ve messed up, this poor bloke gave his life.!!! There cant be a bigger testament to the man's GREATNESS. I bow down to an accomplished man and a life well lived. !!! May the paki cricket system and the honchos who have brought this upon us and an innocent guy like woolmer rot in hell. !!!

raza bashir

Throughly saddened by the news. In effect, the Pakistani players have contributed to this man's death. A man foreign to Pakistan, who took the team as his own but soon realized the type of nation we are, an ungrateful and hopeless people. Pakistan's institutions are rotten, and the nation is continuing its self-combustion that began in 1947. Congrats Pakistan team, you've killed a man who gave you professionalism, and you threw it away when it mattered most.

Huge loss for the cricketing world. I agree with your criticising and the fact that Bob was a media man is an important fact. I was a huge fan of Bob after Paks victory in Banglaore, the win against England on home soil and beating India in Karachi. Everything seemed to go pear shaped after the England series in England and Bob was restricted in the new look Pakistan was given due to its politics. His failures were partly down to the failing system in Pakistan. Nonetheless, Thank you Bob for giving your best and at times giving Pakistan supporters great joy.

I guess the poor guy couldnt have given a bigger price then this to prove his commitment to the team. As part of a nation in which people dont even bother to tender their resignations when they ve messed up, this poor bloke gave his life.!!! There cant be a bigger testament to the man's GREATNESS. I bow down to an accomplished man and a life well lived. !!!

raza bashir

Ironically enough, just when the news of Bob Woolmer's passing away was being posted, I was talking with a friend in Toronto. At the time I told him that Bob was a good coach and in cricket, you can't blame the coach for performances such as the one Pak. players displayed. Here in North America, fooball games are dependent on coach's decisions. But in cricket, once the pitch is analyzed, team selected, players on the field, it's totally up to the players to show their mettle or lack thereof in this case. Heads should roll but of those egotistical maniacs who jeopardized and lost everything I hoped out of Pak. cricket. One waits 4 years for such a big show down and Pak. players managed to survive 5 days. Way to go!
And what a big loss for World cricket in the passing away of Bob Woolmer. My deepest felt condolences to his family....

dear bob

although we had ups and downs
i will never ever forget you
you are the best coach pakistan ever had

rest in peace bob woolmer

abbas

I feel terrible about Bob and wish his family all the best. I agree with Dr Abbasi in all he says, and was also of opinion Bob had to go - even before the world cup. Truly its been a terrible last few months, from the England Series till today. I hope we can 'rise' from this, if this is the appropriate term.

I was shell shocked when I read Bob is no more. This is too much. I cried. This surely a very sad day. Passionate cool men like him lead us on. The 11 on the playing field have to win, What was Azar Mahmood doing after 16 balls & only 2 runs & then getting out like that, Playing has to be with responsibility, with an aim to win, surely these 11 could have batted better. If the cricketing structure isn't rectified then we would loose such great men like Bob Woolmer. These pressures are created due to flaws in the planning & that is true in every feld of work, the sooner we rectify these the better. Deep condolences to Bob & his family & the PAkistan Cricket team, & us , Bob lives on like an eternal light ever, It's time to start doing the good things now. God's Grace

devastating news.Very painful to swallow.An extrememely mellow and nice man who tried his best for pakistan cricket.Not many top western coaches would want to come to Pakistan and coach.He gave his life to the sport and will be hugely missed.

We are shocked...everybody has to go one day but was his death caused by Pak's defeat?

A national tragedy is upon us and its not the loss to Ireland.

The untimely death of Bob Wolmer should be a wakeup call to all Pakistani cricket fans who take their team too seriously. We have been critical of Bob, and I think he would welcome healthy criticism but to be fanatical to the point of being irrantionally subjective is something else.

Our country, our fans, and our players are in shock and deep mourning. What they need to do now is live up to the legacy of Bob Wolmer. Go out, win against Zimbabwe in a fashion that would make him proud. Go out and do all the things that he expected. Become the team he envisioned we could. Show the world Bob Wolmer did not fail as a coach. Pakistan cricket has already failed him. We may have a chance at redemption, however belated it maybe.

We will miss you Bob Wolmer - a true Pakistani.

I AM, STUNNED, SHOCKED AND DAZED by the news of Bob Woolmer's sudden demise!

In my last post this morning, in the other thread on Shamrock defeat, I had quoted Ghalib's verse:

"Ho chukeen Ghalib bala-ayen sab tamaam,
Ek marg-e-naagahaani aur hai."

For non Urdu speaking people here is the English translation of the difficult Urdu words:

Ho chukeen = whatever happened (in the past)
bala-ayen = calamities, tragedies
sab tamaam = everything else
marg = death,
naagahaanee = sudden or accidental
(So all the calamities and tragedies are over now, and the only thing that is in waiting is - the sudden death.)

When I wrote that above verse, I didn't have the slightest idea that BOB WOOLMER would be that victim. His sudden and sad demise has shocked the entire cricket world and most importantly all the Pakistanis. Bob's sudden death has created more woes, more misery and more distress than the defeat against Ireland. Its really a matter of grief, sorrow and shock for us ALL. I owe my sincere sympathies and deepest condolences to Bob Woolmer's family and close friends. I may have said something against his policies and his approach in coaching in the past, but that was totally about the game of cricket and personally I have nothing against him and I am really grieved, shocked and feel extremely sorry for this sudden and untimely demise. May God rest his soul in peace.

IMO Pakistan must abandon their match against Zimbabwe and the whole team and the PCB officials must go to his come country to attend his funeral proceedings. It is more important for them to show their last respects to their coach, rather than playing this last match which is nothing but a formality. I think paying a last homage to their coach who has spent the last 3 years with them and who took this shocking defeat to his heart, so much so that he lost his life in the process. This gesture would give his family a feeling of support and the honour and respect that Bob deserved. Also, PCB must immediately pay his family not only the dues but, a handsome gratuity in return for his services. Once again, lets say a few good words for the deceased - May God bless him and rest his soul in peace.

Regardless of what was said about Bob Woolmer, I must say all our prayers are with him. The man after all, gave his life in the process. It's a shame that this had to happen, but knowing pakistan cricket i suggest we start praying for the next martyr in line...it's a truly sad day for cricket, but i doubt the PCB has learned anything from this situation.

I am in total shock, I have been glued to GEO and ARY ONE world, a tragic loss and for those at home, I hope you realise it is just a game.

I will always remember Edgebaston July 2004, where he led us to victory against India.

Junaid Jamshed asked him during the England toud of Pakistan, what is like to beat your country and Bob was famously quoted as saying;

"I am a Pakistani, I live in Pakistan, I will die in Pakistan, and will be burried in Pakistan"

Thank you for the memories Bob, I am sure there's a place in heaven for you.

Machination of mind, body and soul yes we dont understand niether do we understand will of God apart from it being the reason of last resort.

But as a nation we also do not understand self respect, pride, responsibility, accountability and most of all character. Bob woolmer and his death signifies all of the above and much more. It provides lesson to us dimwits that ultimate accountability lies within and not without. The man paid it with his life - I for one salute him for his integrity, dignity and character, which he already showed just being the saner part of this malfunctioning corrupt setup.

We talk about rolling heads, like hydra they will reappear. Probably, solution lies in self-capitulation, self-accountibility and owning responsibility. This can only be acheived by tendering resignations and vowing never to be part of any setup where you cant add value.

i m completely out of my senses, he is a big loss to cricket and it seems that he also could not bear the pain provided to him by this RUBBISH PAKISTANI team. He took up a challenge and they(Pakistani Team) failed him and he could not stand it. It must have got up to him. Some players from this team should b fired. Inzamam should b toled to go on TABLEEGE and give KHUTBAS. He is now only burden on the team. Kamran Akmal should be given a rest for lifetime now as we need to find a more mentally strong wicket keeper. Azhar Mehmood should be sent to england to play for counties instead, he is no more required. I agree with kamran for Afridi being the captain. But all this was out of the context. I m deeply hurt with Bob's death. It was totally unexpected. May his soul rest in peace and may ALLAH bless his soul (AMEEN)

The whole nation is so sad to hear this news. My deepest sympathies for his Family. May Allah (God) give patience to his family in these trying times. I like your sentence " his skills were wasted on Pakistan Team".

the pressure from managing the most unprofessional team in the world with the most stuck-up unprofessional players caused a great coach too much stress and pressure, he wasted his management years on pakistan cricket which is full of corruption and bad behaviour, they must share the guilt of his demise.

It was a shame as it as to see Pakistan lose to new born team that we had to hear about the sad demise of Mr. Bob Woolmer. He was a talented coach and at this point I would not be afraid to say that we are all so ashamed of our players including captain Inzimam ul Haque. The team not only led the nation down but has a huge contribution towards Mr. Woolemer's death when all he did was keep the team in its high spirits. Less did he know how they would let him down like that... I think they should be flown back to the homeland without even having to fulfill the formality of playing with Zimbabwe as
I am sure they are going to lose as well and further aggravate the millions of Paki cricket fans out there. I wonder how long they would be able to hide their faces to avoid the humiliation back home.

The nature of sincerety Bob woolmer had for his job to Pakistan cricket was evident from the fact that during all the ignominious activities of Pakistan cricket - the oval fiasco, the changing and re-changing of captains, dope scandals, insulting behaviour of shoaib akhter, and dictatorial rebuttals from inzimam - he didn't resign, he didn't let go of his job, he had promised to strive for a successful Pakistani world cup, and he tried his best; unlike our greats like Miandad and et all who would resign at matters of personal insults right before world cups and other important team pursuits. It was never for money, he could get better from England, and many a counties, he was indeed a coach in demand, deserving better apprentices than Pakistani team. Bob always saw himself as a part of the team, as a fecilitator, never above. We should collectively apologise for our behaviours, cricket pundits like zaheer abbas for taking out their personal vendettas, the Pakistan team for never bothering to learn an iota of sense from this ocean of cricketing knowledge, the newspapers for spreading maleficent rumours, and the pakistani nation for making cricket their only pursuit of excellence, their only means of collective happiness.

I can only convey my sympathies with the family of Bob Woolmer on this most tragic of occassion. What this does is only remind people that there are far more important things in life than cricket - we fans, sometimes forget this most important fact - and cannot see beyond the most recent loss, as in the case of the loss to Ireland. Cricket, after all is a game, and the amount of pressure that the coaches, players and fans put themselves under, or put others under (in the case of the fans)is so immense, that it can lead to heartbreaking consequences for all our loved nearest and dearest.

I feel really sorry for Woolmer. The poor guy paid the utmost price. May God forgive me and all others who doubted his commitment to Pakistani cricket. May his soul rest in peace after such a tragic ending to his life. My thoughts and prayer are with his family.

He was more loyal than anyone to our cricket. I think he was just unfortunate to have landed this almost impossible job of coaching the world's most shameless, unprofessional and corrupt cricketers.

His death just reminds us not to take a game so seriously after all. The human body and mind works in ways we just don't understand.

I m extremely sad that this has happened. I just dont know what else to say.

MAY his SOUL REST IN PEACE

There is no way that South Africa would be at number 1 in the world rankings were it not for Bob Woolmer and Hansie Cronje. Both are now gone. Bob should never have taken the Pakistani job - far too gentle a man, and a professor of the game to have got involved in the politics and volatility of the PCB. I send his wife and sons my heartfelt wishes. In the final analysis, they are far more important today than Inzamam, Daryl Hair, Hansie or Warwickshire. I am so so sad.

I cant even think about Pakistan's poor performance against Ireland after hearing about this. There are a lot bigger things in life. I am shocked and short for words.

Very sad and shocked by the news. I think it took the world completely by surprise. Now is not the time to discussthe teams failures but instead we should remember Bob Woolmer the way that he should be remembered..A Great Man and a Great Coach

really shocked to hear the sad news

Bob Woolmer was a good man and a great coach who devoted his life to cricket , my thoughts go out to his family.

lets us not forget all that he achieved for pakistan the series win in india agaisnt india , the series win agaisnt both england and india in pakistan ,and the series win agaisnt sri lanka and west indies not to mention how mohammed yousuf and mohammed asif matured into the greatest players pakistan have seen under bob woolmer

I believe the world cup failures was to do with the pakistan selection commitee, the scandals and controversies , injuries to key players , and the lack of heart of the pakistani batsmen as well as poor captaincy, the pakistani batsmens let down a whole nation and let down their coach , it may be time for alot of our current players and pakistani management to drop out

This will definately be remembered as the worst period in the history of pakistani cricket but it can only go up and pakistan cricket will recover and become a force once again ..... inshallah

To all the pakistani and cricket media and all you fanatic fans who ultimately caused the death of one of the greatest coaches ever remember ..........its just a game!

Bob paid the ultimate price for Pakistan cricket, condolances to his family. I hope the public will let him rest in peace and not criticise him in this time of tragedy for those who thought Bob didn't give 100% for the Pakistan team they have very sadly been proved wrong. I put the blame of Bob's death 100% on the Pakistan cricket setup including the gutless performance of the players.
Rest in peace Bob the entire cricketing world will sorely miss you!

I am shocked as the whole cricketing world is, I for only feel for his family, as I have experienced a shock of losing them on October 8th Earthquake in Margalla Towers, so suddenly. And being able to relate to it I pray for his family's strength in such a time. It is saddening, very saddening, but one's time has already been decreed before they even come to this world. Pakistan Cricket does actually owe a lot to him, sure there have been defeats, last one was truly shameful and critisizable, however some of the wins have been quite memorable as well. And I previously in the open letter responded by targetting the PCB for the shameful exit, not Inzi, not Bob. I pray for him and his family.

I am a huge fan of Pakistan cricket, and often feel ashamed of how the people of this country are so fickle. Whether the team wins or loses the reactions are much exaggerated.

I feel really sorry for Woolmer and his family. He was just a coach, and I shed a few tears for a tragic and depressing death. I can only imagine the toll the loss took on him, and the whole thing is so difficult to swallow.

When I heard the news I just couldn't believe it. I still half expect to wake up from this.

I don't think the blame fell on the coach or the captain. It fell on the selectors for being so fickle with the selection.

This whole thing is really depressing. My thoughts are with Bob's family.

What a terrible tragedy for the Woolmer family and the wider cricket world.
This world cup will now always be remembered for this tragic event and sadly it will overshadow the marvellous victory for Ireland that preceded it. I am sure that Bob Woolmer, despite how badly it made him feel personally, will have been full of congratulations for the Ireland team and I suspect that he would not want his death to overshadow their success.
My condolences, doubtless in agreement with all cricket players from every level of the game, are with Bob Woolmer's family at this dreadful time for them.

First of all, Pakistan being knocked out of the World Cup is not that important as the death of a professional, hardworking, never givingup attitude Bob Woolmer. I think this is a more big loss to Pakistan Cricket than losing the World Cup. And Kamran I do agree with you that PCB never gave Woolmer the necassary tools to make Pakistan the best but he fought alone and still gave us good results from the Pakistan Team. But I pray for Bob Woolmers family to guide them through this terrible and shocking tragedy. As you can see this man Bob Woolmer gave up his life for Pakistan Cricket cause I am sure the shocking defeat against Ireland and being knocked out of the World Cup really hurt him inside and he could not live on with the fact of Pakistan being kicked out of WC so it took his life. But once again, I think the great Pakistani legends who criticized Bobs abilities before should never have done that and today when he passes away they come out saying he was a great man, and etc. Why cant they say these things when he was alive, thats why Pakistan is behind in everything. You need to provide support while there is still time and not when its too late. God Bless Bob Woolmer and my prayers to the Pakistan team that inshallah they will be back for what there known for. Pakistan Zindabad.

First of all my deepest sympathies to the family of Late Bob Woolmer. I do not have the words to describe how i felt when i heard the news. The thing that came to my mind right away when i saw that he was hopitalized was that i hoped its not due to the shock he took yesterday. And i guess it ended up to be that shock that eventually took his life. I think that he was an honest and very hard working man but unfortunately he ended up in the wrong setup of Pakistan cricket. I still believe that he did bring a lot to Pakistan cricket. He should always be remembered as a great coach of Pakistan team. After this i hope the Subcontinental fans and the media should realize that its only a game. Yes criticize the players and coaches but it should always be positive criticism. If you think that they shouldnt be playing write it and say it. Dont go on burning peoples house and asking for people to be arrested. It puts a lot of pressure on them. I cant help myself feel bad for Inzamam. I dont know what is he going through? Yes he should retire Yes the team should have a lot of changes but please i plead to all the fans stay calm and do positive criticism. I dont know how will the players play after such shocking two days. The ICC should cancel Zimbabwe game and award points to Zimbabwe. In the end its a very very sad day for Pakistan cricket. For future i think Mr Nasim Ashraf has to go and a former and expereinced test cricket should be made the chairman. Coaching should go to Wasim Akram as i think he is a natural leader. The captaincy should go to Afridi without a doubt.

Sad demise of a great man.

Bob was too good of a coach for Pakistan. He was very much sincere to the game unlike the players of the team. He had the REAL coaching stuff in him. He was a great guy. I personally think that the poor performance of Pakistan against Ireland had a HUGE part to play in his unfortunate death. But MAY HE REST IN PEACE FOREVER.

Oh man, complete sadnes....I just wrote a letter to Bob this morning expecting a reply soon, completely shocking. Pakistan cricket is in complete turmoil, we have a stupid chairman....fire him please because of his policies that are at all causes compleyar tely irrelevant to the game of Cricket, Bring back Shahryar Khan.

RIP Bob Woolmer, I wonder who has the balls to take up the job now! Hmmmmmm Interesting, what are your thoughts Kamran?

It has been a great shock, when I heard this news i was so shocked but when in this article you said ultimately he failed in pakistan as a coach, I completely disagreee with it, he won so manyy series as a pakistani coach and bring us from #6 to #3 in both form of games, every coach and team go though a bad patch and unluckily for us it was in world cup but I have nothin but have alot of respect Bob Woolmer. He Was an Awesome Coach.

Yup,It's sad news .I still can't believe it .

I agree with Kamran's views.
The Man was & should be Bigger than the Game.......While we may not agree with Bob's tactics or approach as coaching Pak cricketers would never have been easy at best.
Condolences to his family & May he rest in peace.

Sports in the 21st centuary is more then just sports . Its a Billion dollar industry and buisness. When u have companies in vesting millions in yo they expect you to deliver , Once you dont they control the media to blame it all on the players and coaches to get there brand away from the team . Happens everywhere , The most hated brand last night in pakistan was pepsi due to its add with the team , next morning pepsi had to change it , buy planning a strategy to play the blame game .

We as desi, are obessed with cricket , and we get so lost in our emotions that we cross the line . Yes we need to change our cricket, yes there are problems with our systems , yes our team is bymch of fundoz as in mullahs , but no game or match in the world is more then life . Bob i can say gave his life to this game , not many " goras left in the world " who would actually move to pakistan . Bob will be missed , and i sincerly hope that are supposed sports journalists never forget that at the end of the day its a game and some ones life .

Bob great man to lose , cricket has lost a fighting man .

Rip

In my opinion, Bob Woolmer was the best coach Pakistan could have gotten. He did so much for the Pakistan team. I mainly hold... actually i completely hold the PCB responsible for everything that has been happening and it all started when Nasim Ashraf became the chairman. After that point it has been downhill. I hope he leaves his post as soon as possible. As long as their is politics in Pakistan cricket, we cant expect to get anywhere. I also send my condolences to Mr. Woolmer's family. I was very pleased with what he had done. Only if others had believed in him also.

I agree that his talent was wasted on a team incapable of making the most of it. But then he always did like a challenge. Perhaps this was one challenge too many. He was a wonderful, motivated, dedicated coach and one of the nicest guys in world cricket. It is a sad, sad day and has cast a dark shadow upon the world cup, which suddenly seems utterly meaningless.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
RIP Mr. Bob Woolmer.

May he rest in peace. No one can doubt all that he has done for Pakistan cricket.

A great loss to the world cricket. Loss of a great coach and a man of his principles. He will be sorely missed. Thank you Bob for your contribution to the game of cricket.
Being a Pakistani I am really sorry as you did not get the level of respect and recognition you deserved as a Pakistan coach. May your soul rest in peace!

You are right. It is indeed the failure of Pakistan Cricket system and not Bob's and it is the death of Pakistan Cricket and not Bob's. Thanks to Bob for atleast trying to improve the state of our cricket.

This is really bad news, may Bob rest in piece. Dont care what anyone says he has done so much for the Pakistan team and it should be appreciated. It was a game so what if we lost we was outplayed but no-one should wish this for a guy to die, poor BOB RIP.

Does our passion for the game creates pressure for the players and the caoches?

What happened today is a very dark day in cricket and probably the worst 24 hours ever in Pakistan's cricket history. A 58 year old man who gave his life to cricket died because of cricket too.

What comes to my mind is, is is it worth dying for? Do we take it a lot more seriosly then we should. Teams like Australia, South Africa and New zealand perform alot better. But for subcontinental teams it just a matter of life and death.

Pakistan lost. And they did it in a very shameful way, but the bottomline is that they all gave thier 100%. I am sure they tried thier best and things like that happen. One team has to face shame for another to achieve glory.

We Indians and Pakistanis have to change this. Giving these cricketers god-like status when they win and burn thier houses when they lose. These guys are ordinary people like us, with extra ordinary cricketing abilities, but a heart, nerves and brain just like us. THEY ARE HUMAN. Bound to make errors.

Inzimam who was the national hero a week ago became a villain within hours. Yes we lost the world cup under him but isnt he responsible for a WC win too.

I am sorry Bob, he actually responded to 4 of my emails when i use t post on his web sie. He advised me to shorten my run up to 12 yards instead of running in fat and the very next game i took 4 wickets.
Thank you Bob, i always supported and i know you gave everything you had to this team, i guess we wernt destined to win. But its becauseof you we saw days likethe 2-0 victory over England and the great tour of India in 2005.

I dont know wbout others, but i really feel like i lost somone. What you did for cricket will never be forgotten, in your life you taught how to play this game, but with your death you gave a much more important lesson, that no game or hobby or sport is more valuable than life itself.

Rest in peace Robert Woolmer. May Allah bless you for your good deeds and forgive all your sins.
inalillah e wa ni allah he rajaeoon

What a great loss to world of cricket as Bob was great thinker of the game of cricket. I am incredible shock to hear this news. Bob has left a legacy of cricket and he will be remembered for his services to England, South Africa and Pakistan cricket. I send my condolences to his family.

its extremely sad when a man dies doing the job he loved, especially when it is a game and a hobby as well. to the effigy burners who called for his head i hope this sticks to you like glue and you never forget it. as Pakistan coach, an cricket coaches in general, right and wrong moves would face hostility from different areas. this man died all for the love of a country's cricket team, and was lambasted for a loss

Bob has been GREAT always ever. Rameez Raja said Bob even asked the Cris Broad why so much grass had been left behind on the picth for teh match with Ireland. Ireland were behind the overrate even in the 46th over, why were they not fined any match fee when Pakistan was fined by Cris Broad. Is this descrimination. This seems to have been going on for long with Afridi too being banned for an of the field issue. These things too add unwanted pressure on the team, cause the heart aches as seen vivdly in the case of Bob. People must understand this for the better ment of the game, God it's just a Game, invented for pleasure, if it takes the life of people for pressure, it ain't worth it, Things need to be put into perspective.All must do well on the field, give their best as we all feel & that's all there is to it, no heart breaks, We feel so pained by the great Bob's not being there with us, Oh God , Wish we had our eyes open earlier.
BRING BACK THAT LOVING FEELING, OH THAT LOVING FEELING, IT IS NEEDED THAT GOOD FEELING, BROTHERHOOD, UNITY, LOVE , HENCE SUCCESS

Great tribute Kamran.

This is a tragedy that should at the very least provide perspective. If the worst thing Pakistanis feel at the moment is in regard to their team's loss against Ireland, then clearly they haven't learnt anything, and Bob Woolmer's memory doesnt mean anything to them. This is a timely reminder that after all the media beat-ups and fanaticism of the game, it remains just that- a game. Never has cricket felt more like a trivial pastime than it does right now. If lives hang in the balance, then ppl ought to reconsider how they go about their passion for following sport, and shift their priorities accordingly...

Will the pakistani team be allowed to leave Jamaica or do they have to wait till the autopsy results are out.....in case there is some foul play!

May God rest his soul in peace. It is a shocking loss. He was a winner and deserved better last memories then what our stupid Pakistani cricket team gave him.

Bob's sad demise is extremely shocking and heart breaking. May his soul rest in eternal peace. My thoughts are with his family. May Allah give them the courage and patience to absorb such an untimely shocking loss.
Bob was a man of strong character and had immense love for the game. I have tremendous respect for him for his contributions to the game of cricket in general and to Pakistani cricket in particular.
His hard work with pakistan team did not pay off. But we all know that his influence on Pakistani cricket has been very healthy. I hope he did not die thinking he had not done enough, I wish he could not know that he did what he could do. He would always be remembered as a great coach.

Yes, the defeat against ireland made me shed a tear.

Today, i can't stop crying.

This amazing man lost his life because of a stupid passion that people have for sport. Don't get me wrong, I am one of those people too.

Sport should never come to this. Sport should never cause this calamity, it is not a sport if it does.

I am sorry Bob, for my constant nagging and bickering about cricket.

Rest in peace Bob, rest in peace.

You are absolutely right Kamran, he was one guy who always accepted criticism. I often use to write him questions on his website and he would respond with fervor. I think an era in cricket coaching has ended.
The other thing i agree is that Bob was always misfit in Pakistan cricket system. I think some other team would have better utilised him. He still did a whole lot for Pakistan cricket and he will be one of the pioneer of the modern face given to Pakistan cricket. He will be (should be) remembered in the history of Pakistan cricket.
My condolences to his family and may Allah bless his soul.

Thanks
Shahid.

Bob Woolmer aka Legend R.I.P

When i met him in leicestershire i loved talking to him, all that mattered to him was cricket, tactics and his family. He was a legend for South Africa & Warwickshire. He brought his brilliance to Pakistan winning series against England, Sri Lanka, India.

I believe that Pakistan did not do justice to his coaching talent. This man will be missed by everyone, people can berate him how much they like in Pakistan, he will always have my respect. As a person he was down to earth never said anything against anyone.

YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN OUR LOVING MEMORIES! R.I.P

Bob woolmer will be missed. One of the best coaches the game has ever produced.

May his soul rest in peace.

im extremely, extremely saddened on this shocking news. i had massive respect and support for him.. pakistan players must be ashamed of themselves along with whole PCB system that they failed to capitalise on this geart mean's abilities and cunningness of cricket, if pak's performance is trhe reason behind his death.. of course only ALLAH knows best about the reason but one can only think to his best. it all looks gloom now.. may ALLAH bless his soul, AMEEEN SUM AMEEN.

Bob Woolmer was probably the best coach in the world. His ability and passion were wasted on our incorrigible players and thankless fans. May he rest in peace.

A sad day indeed, Mr.woolmer was one of those rare souls who contributed to the game apart from just playing it, its a reminder to all of us fans that its just a game at the end of the day and there are more important things in life

Although pakistan has done this thing, personally bob woolmer himself was a great coach. thats different pakistan players dont get it but he tried to change things but i tihnk he could'nt bear the loss of pakistan to ireland. he was a great guy and i tihnk pakistan players should find themselves responsivle for it

No one deserves what happened to him. Sometimes we all can forget that it's just a game. For a while bob managed to bring out the best in our boys and I suppose that's all you can ask for. Our thoughts and prayers should be with his family now.

Pakistan's World Cup Campaign started on a bad note but the end has been even worse. The early exit from the world cup was a huge blow and coupled with the tragic loss of Woolmer, the situation has only spiralled out of control.I personally feel extremely sad for Woolmer.His dedication and efforts in tandem with the immeasurable talent that the Pakistan team possesses could've converted Pakistan into a true world beating team.The intra-team politics and controversies that were always right around the corner finally took their toll.The workload of the modern cricketer has certainly increased manifold and international cricket is quite hard by itself.Off the field issues can only make it worse.I'll take the liberty of blaming those members of the Pakistan cricket team who indulged in politics, never respected Woolmer and the Pakistan Cricket Board for driving the final nail in Woolmer's coffin. For once, the PCB and the Cricket team were in full cooperation since Woolmer took over. God Bless Woolmer and May Providence Shine Upon the Pakistan cricket team and the PCB and bless all and sundry with common sense, dedication and self-respect.Woolmer failed to instill any of these traits!Let's hope for the best!

i am shocked and sad....

He was a good coach-- a stark contrast to the PCB, the captain; Bob wasn't domineering, he just wanted to guide Inzamam. He didn't make decisions for Inzamam, but let Inzamam learn to make decisions himself. Ironically, the captain took an attitude opposite towards his players, as was the case with the PCB. Our loss was because of Inzamam's shortcomings, PCB's shortcomings, and our own habbit of "hoping" for the best rather than putting pressure to change the captain and the players to pre-empt the fact before it occurs. No point being bitter afterwards, we should never have supported a negative captain.
God bless Bob, a great person he was.

I'm so sorry for everything. I'm really so depressed. I hope one day we win the world cup and dedicate it to the man who gave his life to Pak cricket.

"cuz all of the stars are fading away
just try not to worry, you'll see them someday
just take what you need.. and be on your way" - Oasis

A sad day.

I fully agree with Kamran's comments about Bob Woolmer.I wondered how Mr.Woolmer agreed to coach a highly dysfunctional team as the Pakistanis.It is not because of him they are out of world cup.The lazy and arrogant players who are self centered are responsible.Even Imran can not save this bunch of characters.

When no person wanted to coach the Pakistan national side. Only one man with the guts stood up. Knowing the final out some would probably be a sacking like all the past coaches, he took the hardest challenge in world cricket. Coach Pakistan, not coach India but Pakistan the best players in the world with no direction.

Its really sad news for cricket. This shows his passion for the game and his sincerity, although his sincerity didnt work for Pakistan that this shows how much eager he was for pakistani win. In an interview when England came to Pakistan he said "Im a pakistani, i live in pakistan, i will die as a Pakistani and i will be burried in Pakistan" and yes he died as a Pakistani today.

Kamran! I am deeply saddened with the death of Bob Woolmer. Only Pakistan cricket could drive someone to such heart ache. I feel sorry for his family. I believe you do not do justice to his memory. He did take over an impossible job but he managed well. Failure of team reflects upon the coach and i believe he felt the shame. There is only so much one can take, starting from Oval last year to the spiritless performance against Ireland. I feel sorry that his family will remember cause of death not a heart attack, but Pakistan Cricket. Such a shame. If only Inzi and rest of the team felt such pressure of commitment and responsibility. May his soul rest in peace.

No words can highlight the sunlight of Bob. PCB should name one of the regular events or a place e.g. academy, to tribute his contributions.

Yes I totally agree that Inzamam is the main reason behind this current debacle of Pakistani cricket and her performance in WC07. Well, Bob was a gentleman to feel this pressure and in the end he could not cope it no more; and lost his life. I sympathize with his family and other millions of lovers of cricket. I hope few people should feel ashamed (at-least) of their stupidities and do something. I am not gonna go ask people to committ suicide since it is HARAM in our faith, but strongly demand that INZY should right away resign along with few board officils.

I hope we play few ODIs and give the income to Bob's family. Since Pakistan was directly involved with Bob's matter, Pakistani board should take up the challenge to organize these matches

Bob Woolmer's demise is a national tragedy. He should be celebrated and saluted as a national cricketing hero and the PCB and/or the Pakistan government should make sure they nationally recognize him.
He gave his life to cricket and more specifically, in the latter years to Pakistan. His sudden death is a clear proof that the man ignored caring for his own health, and even ignored all warning signs of sickness and pushed on, and did not leave Pakistan's side even in their darkest moments, and all for one cause and that was to help Pakistan succeed.
This, for me, is nothing less than the greatest sacrifice any person can offer.
A true hero!

I am shocked to hear this tragic news about Bob Wolmer. We all knew that we had wrong expectations from the Pakistani team. If the players are not willing to take responsibility and work on their weaknesses, then we cannot put the onus only on Coach. I feel bad that Bob Wolmer had to take so much pressure due to the these irresponsible players and this pressure might have played a big role in this tragic end. As a nation, we also have to have more patience for loss, as win/loss is part of sportsmanship.

Kamran, your open letter was a professional matter and something Bob would have totally respected as a true professional himself .. but you summed it up well .. "it is the persoanlity-based Pakistani culture that has failed the team more than anything else" I actually thought Bob througout his tenure was humiliated on many occasions by to players and officials not to mention many ex-players who jelously always referred to his high pay-roll .. now nothing matters .. He left us tragically and our thoughts are with his families at this hour of grief. Rest in Peace Bob and thanks for all you have done for Pakistan cricket ..

Mr. Abbasi:
I would like to use your blog as a means to highlight the apathetic and crude reaction of one of our nation's notable "journalists" to this tragic event. As a cricket fan, as a Pakistani and as a human being I am absolutely disgusted with Hamid Mir's statement (made during the Indian TV Channel Headlines Today special broadcast on Bob Woolmer's death) that Bob Woolmer will be remembered as an unsuccessful coach and the Pakistan cricket board will think twice before hiring a "GORA COACH" in the future. Such racist, illiterate and ignorant people perform a disservice to the whole nation and should be barred from such a noble profession. I apologize to Mr. Woolmer's family on behalf of our entire nation and express my sincere condolences for their loss. I would also like to make a plea to Geo TV and all other media that they should ensure that journalists of such low caliber should NEVER be allowed to represent Pakistan on a national or international forum. Finally, I echo Mr. Abbasi's view that Bakwas is Bakwas whether in English or Urdu and we should ensure that such bakwas is not used to insult and ridicule a man who gave his life for a game that we are all passionate about. As a first step to improving Pakistan’s image in the international community, PCB should take action against Hamid Mir and send a message to the entire world that such ungrateful people represent a very small minority of the Pakistani people.

Bob,s sudden death is a great loss, i am also in shock about the news. May Allaha have mercy on his soul.

Bob Woolmer without any doubt was the best coach in the world and he proved that with South Africa. As far as Pakistan is concerned I think they have lost an excellent opportunity to learn from the best in the game. Bad luck for Pakistan. God bless Bob Woolmer.

Bob was in love with cricket. His love had gone towards Pakistan cricket way. If any, he was the biggest fan of the Pakistan team along side his responsibilities! As a fan, it was never going to be easy to get over the team's underperformance!!! He, sadly, could not just get over it. He did every thing that he could for the cricket as well as Pakistan cricket.He was very honest with his job and did every thing in his power to transform his vision to the team!!! It is a great loss to the world of cricket, and for the world of sports for that matter. We will remember him as a true professional who gave his life to his job - cricket.

Its sad. The only person from Pakistan cricket who apologised for performing bad. Because the people who can't accept their dfeat, can't prepare for the next win. Its not too late, please start accepting your defeats bfore moving forward. God bless the soul of Bob.

My most heartfelt condolences to Bob's family. I pray to Allah to give you the strength to bear the loss.

I was in a shock when I heard the news. Great loss for cricket. Seeing the pictures of his last press conference after the loss to Ireland telecasted on local channels, one can easily get the impression that all was not well with him. I think he took the defeat to heart and that's it.

i was reall mad when i saw pakistan lost to irland but when i heard we lost bob wolmer i felt sorry for his family and the nation to lose a player like him.

The man was one of the best things to happen to Pakistan Cricket... though we didn't let him help us as much. He could have done much more had he the latitude. His efforts not his results are what make him admirable. Who knows how the loss affected him, had he not cared, would he have taken it to heart?

I cannot forget 2 scenes from the coverage, one he is sitting next to Afridi with the writing on the wall, Afridi was scratching himself thinking about why he was not there in the field... Bob was next to him, speechless and sad. The other is after the match... packing his things in his back pack like a broken man, like a vanquished man... as much rage as I had for the loss, I felt sorry for him, those two memories will sadly remain with me... I pray for his family and for the man who tried...

Bob's sudden death is a blow to everything that is cricket today. He was the first Pakistani coach who was able to have a chemistry with Pakistani team, and did everything he could for Pakistan's cricket. May he rest in peace and my thoughts go out to his family. It's a loss first to his family, then Pakistan and finally to the World cricket.

Dear Kamran,

Rightly said,it is the most difficult job in the world to do anything with Pakistan team. It does look like all of the Players in Pakistan Team have been growing beards and praying rather then Practising cricket. God bless Woolmer and Pakistan team future. In all this country is always in the headline for wrong reasons.

Best Regards

"In many ways the skill of Bob Woolmer was wasted on Pakistan cricket"

Couldn't have put it better myself.

I would like to offer my deepest condolences to all Bobs family, I must say being a die hard pakistani supporter, boy! was i cursing Bob Inzi and co, but this sad ending should bring to light that cricket is only a game and a true gentleman like Bob should not be forgotten, coming from foreign climes to trying to help the hapless leaderless team........ I sincerely hope that the PCB and the Pakistani nation do not forget what Bob tried to achieve with our no hopers, and is honoured accordingly........... Bob Woolmer Zindabad and thank you once again for all your hard work and effort, you will not be forgotten.

Hi, Bob Woolmer was a great coach to have for any nation and he was the best one for pakistan in my opinion. The whole world is saddened by this news. I dont know how pakistan cricket will get a replacement like him.

"In many ways the skill of Bob Woolmer was wasted on Pakistan cricket" Summed up perfectly Kamran. Had it been any other team under his guidance they would be light years ahead of were PAkistan is now. A man of genious wasted on a team that just didnt seem to care. He did the nation a great favor by taking on the job, providing fans who had lived for more than a decade in the darkness of mediocrity a glimmer of hope for the future. RIP Bob, you did all you could and this Pakistan fan loves you for it.

You'll never walk alone Bob .... You'll never walk alone

Folks: I could not finish my last e-mail before in-advertantly posting it. I was suggesting that we should have few 1-day games in honour and memory of Bob; and donate a portion of the income to Bob's family. The best oppurtunity and time is NOW. Since Pakistan is out and packing early; and obviously they do not want to go on a trip to FLY HUNTING, they should be involved. The question is where and and with who. In all probabilities, India might exit early too. So in April we can play the games in Sharja, Dubai, India or Pakistan. If some how India can not exist early, Bangladesh might...so Pakistan can travel to Dacca and play there.....This will be the best tribute to Bob and his skills of cricket. (PS: I do not want Inzy to be part of the team.)

Iam depressed and I dont have words to express my grief for such a loss to the cricket for the way it happened.I really cant believe if the preasure on him cost his life.A life of such a humble person who is personified for his character and the technically sound coaching.Its a sad day for all cricket lovers.

Bob's death is downright tragic. Such was the level of his loyalty, professionalism and commitment to Pakistan that the poor guy suffered a cardiac arrest after our appalling performance...
His final words to the media being "I am deeply hurt and cannot tell you how it is going to affect me," ...the world gets blurrier each time I read that.
I am heartbroken. As if losing to Ireland and getting tossed out of the world cup within the first five days wasn't bad enough, we now have to deal with this...May Allah bless Bob's soul. Bob might not have succeeded in making Pakistan the best team in the world, but he definitely did give his 100 percent for our country. Fact is despite his negativity and defensive tendencies, Bob, along with Inzi, made Pakistan into a competitive unit which until that ill-fated tour of England was reckoned by many to be the second best team on the international circuit. Bob was passionate, honest and sincere in his incessant efforts to ameliorate our cricketing fortunes. Frankly for me, that was enough.
Bob deserves a state funeral and nothing less.

well a great man and an excellent coach..I say this not only because of my personal view but the view of many pakistani supporters who commented on his tour diary on cricinfo..People always have a diversified view on issues..even on this blog some might support Mr. kamran abbasi n others strongly disagree with him on any article he writes about pakistan cricket...but i was always amazed how each and every pakistani supporter backed Bob and always encouraged him that he was doing a perfect job on the comments they gave in his diary on cricinfo..
there is no doubt that the pakistani team under his coaching would have gone a long way if issues such as the doping one and the change of administration all together had not come in the way...he had build an excellent team during his time but was unfortunate that he built it under the poor administration of pcb....may he rest in peace.

I have closely followed Pakistan cricket and Pakistan politics during my 25 years in the diaspora and feel that the circumstances surrounding Woolmer's sudden demise are very much symptomatic of what Pakistan has become: a case of institutionalised disaster. A salute to the man for boldly taking on an impossible job and discharging it with such dedication right upto the end. Had the Pakistan cricket team asssimilated his attitude, they surely wouldn't have callously nosedived into ignominy as has happened.

its a very sad day for cricket and a shocking news,its just so sad no words to express it,may his soul rest in peace

Pakistan cricketing system is such as beast that even a coach of Bob's calibre could not do much. We need changes at grass-roots level. Kinds as young as 5 need to be coached. The first-calss structure needs to be totally revamped and politics needs to be eliminated. Good luck Pakistan--you are going to need it.

Woolmer, a great person at the wrong place!

Sorry mate, u were just what Pakistanis are not. Professional!
Condolences to Woolmers' family,

and i request all my nation to calm down, its a game and things happen, give our guys a break, u have put them under such a huge pressure.

Bob rest in peace buddy, u will be remembered in cricinfo blogs, articles and stats and in some hearts perhaps like mine....

i can't stop crying... RIP Bob Woolmer... u were the best coach Pakistan ever had... :( I really feel so horrible for his family... may Allah give them peace of mind

What a big loss to cricket.Bob, thank you for giving your life to Pakistan cricket.I am sure lot of cricketers around the world have benefitted from your coaching lessons.You had great insight of this beautiful game.May Allah give strength to his family to bear the loss and rest Bob's soul in peace.Ameen

Today I learnt the tragic news that Bob Woolmer, the Pakistani cricket coach passed away. This is shocking news and I'm deeply saddened to hear this, for me a passionate Pakistani cricket supporter the whole weekend has been a very sad affair. Firstly the loss to Ireland and early exit from the 2007 world cup, and now the death of Bob Woolmer.

I met Bob in a hotel lobby in Islamabad in December 2005, and although he was checking out and about to board a flight he was very courteous to offer me an opportunity to take some photos with him. I will treasure these images very dearly as in my opinion Bob was an excellent coach who tried his best to guide a volatile Pakistani side that were capable of great things but tended to excel in underachieving. He will be deeply missed by the cricketing world.

Reading Bob’s web site it quotes

Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is the present – a gift to make the most of

How true these wise words echo, “Today” is a gift so treasure and cherish the moment.

Finally as Pakistan start to rebuild their side after this abysmal world cup performance, I hope they will learn from the unrivalled passion and professionalism displayed by Bob Woolmer. A native Englishman, he admired the incredible talent on display in the Pakistan camp and worked extremely hard to harness it.

Bob Woolmer is a tragic hero in every sense of the word. He missed the WC in 1975 due to injury. The team he coached in 1999, SA, lost it the way they did! and the other team that he coached got out the way they did...But none of it is a reflection of how passionate a cricketer and coach he is. The WC that was so cruel to him through out his life and death...should be named after him. We should call the World Cup, the Woolmer Cup. That is the right thing for the entire cricketing world to do.

How can you say that Woolmer was wasted on Pakistan. Being a Pakistani; Yes, I expected my team to do better but it didn't happen and life goes on. However, Woolmer made great contributions to Pakistani team winning some series and losing some. In the end it is a game and you just can't win it all.

Just came back from grocery shopping today morning to see if there is another upset on the chart. Just logged in to cricinfo to check the updates. .....Bob Woolmer is dead at the age of 58...
What the h??? .....
I double checked my PC date. April 1st is still couple of weeks away....was it some kind of joke or what ...I saw that man just a little way back on TV... Just to make sure I'm ok I surfed couple of cricket sites to be sure ...ya he is dead ... I mean DEAD like dead ... I feel cheated ...
He didn't deserve this. If just the idea of facing the ppl back home caused him any medical urgency ... I feel to be a murderer. I'm one of them....!

Bob the legend would be sadly missed. i just wished that the PCB didnt pile on the unneccasry pressure..and i wish that PCB rethink plans and get rid of the lot of them.

Death my dear friends, is not something new, we are all going to die one day, weather it be in a motorcyle crash or recovering from a defeat in your hotel. God has decreed death for anyone wherever he or she maybe and one cannot delay it nor can one ask for a longer life.

Bob enjoyed his job and perhaps the struggles aswell and past away doing the thing he loved most...

another human being lost, which one of us would dare to say that we wont be next?

let us take this time and think about what al mighty god has given us, and be gratful to him for the life he has given us.so let us use this life to please him most.

take care

rest in peace our dear friend rest in peace bob.

A sad news, may God Bless his soul and grieving family. A advise to everbody please pay respect as he has given his life for the game. Pakistan players got a first hand experience what a stress can do to you because of silly mistakes of our cricketers. God Bless Him....

Today Cricket has lost an excellent coach. Pakistan always criticised him because deep inside every Pakistani believed in his abilities and were expecting him to do merciless for them. Indeed cricket has lost a great coach and a person who was always up to listen to his critics.

And I cant come to terms with the fact that Naseem Ashraf hasnt submitted his resignation and worse, has no intentions of doing so. Poor Bob couldnt bear Pakistan being humiliated in such a manner and literally, stressed himself to death:(((((
Naseem Ashraf meanwhile, is oblivious and unaffected by Pakistan's miserable performance. I wish I bump into him on the road so I can run him over with my car and do my bit for Pakistan cricket. Argh. As they say in Urdu "Koi gherat hi nahee hay".

Devastated by the news I for one dont blame Bob Woolmer at all, for he was one of the best coaches around, and at the end of the a coach can only guide the team, not play its up to the players to deliver the goods which they did not.

It is very sad day for Pakistan and above all for Cricket. Today Pakistan did not loose any game but lost bigger than that. Even I am not sure he would have served anymore after the world cup -- Only God knows -- Still it is bigger loss for Pakistan than loosing to Ireland.
What a new day bring -- Till this morning, I wanted nothing less than head of Inzi and Woolmer for the loss yesterday without realizing that this is just a game.
I wish, I could have thought this yesterday.
THANKs Bob Woolmer
And Sorry for all Loosers; including me.

Totaly agree with you Kamran. This is an imense shock! The criticism from pakistani cricket lovers for its foreign coach was mostly due to the common goal for the success of pakistani cricket. I though wasnt one of them. I thought Bob and his laptops was the precise thing pakistan needed. All said and done I wish my prayers to bobs family and may God rest his soul in peace. i just wish bob had the fortune of leaving all of us in a better circumstances that he always wished for.

I would like to give my deapest condolences to the Bob Woolmer and my thoughts are with his family. Speaking on behalf of many Pakistani supporters who I have just spoken to now, we all recognised the dedication and effort he put into the side and he was a great ambassador for cricket. He will be greatly missed by Pakistani supporters and the cricketing world no doubt. Pakistani supporters are a funny bunch, often fanatical in their support for the team, but yet overall can see the bigger picture and all our thoughts are with Bob's family and friends at the moment, he gave our team and the cricket world everything he had and I hope he gets a fitting tribute from everyone involved with him and cricket.

He was a great coach & he reunited at totally destroyed (by administration) pakistani team with Inzmam after world cup 2003. They both did great job for Pakistan cricket in a reasonably short span of time. Any team in any sport (including Australia against Bungladesh & even Brazil) can loose a one off match from weakest side possible, it would be extremely unfair to rubbish all the good work done by these two guys over the 3 year span. Pakistan would surely have been standing next to Zimbabwe if Inzi & Bob would not've interveined. they made a team out of individuals.
We as Nation need to Learn to be patient & respect good work of others even if luck some times does not go our way & above all we need to learn to accept defeat as this is true bravery.
Bob & Inzi are still my true heroes as they tried for the glory of our nation & one can only try sometimes it works & some times it does'nt.
I silute them & thank them for their efforts for the whole nation.

I just cant believe it. I m shocked, my condolonces go to his family.

I was sad and upset to hear the news of Bob's death, our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time. I place the blame of this solely on the shoulders of the pakistan players. Their performance yesterday was the worst that I have ever had the misfortune of seeing. How can a team rated as the 3rd best in ODI's lose to a team that not even rated in the ICC's league an ply their trade in the English domestic league! I admit that their preperation goin into tis world cup has been anything but ideal but this was their chance to sow everyone that the problems of the past year are behind them, they are now a unit and wlling to work for each other. But what we got was vintage Pakistan, who are completely disjointed no togetherness. I fear that Pakistan cricket will take a long-time to get over the trageic events of the past two days and surely heads will roll, most notably that of Inzi's. Inzi is a class batsman, there is no doubt about that, but as a captain he was often found wanting in strategy and his willingness to go for the opositions throat by always palying safe. The whole squad really needs to take a good hard look at itself from the openers, who again failed to fire to the bowlers. Who will takeover the captincy or more importantly who will be willing to take the job of coach after what has happened, we will wait to see.

Uncle Bob was a great coach and even a greater servent of the game. It is a pity that the corrupt system of Pakistan stopped him to fully apply his ideologies on Team Pakistan. He will ibution to the always be remember fondly for his contrribution to the world cricket. May he rest in peace!

What a man !To me he was the one coach who took over pakistan and tried his level best. I am utterly shocked by this untimely death. To add salt to this day, i read in a cricinfo article in the morning of pakistani fans chantting slogans of " death to inzi...death to bob woolmer" and with that i have lost all respect for all those people. My condlonses are with his family . Rest In Peace the greatest coach the world has ever seen.

As someone stated above he died a martyr for cricket. My condolences to Bob and may he rest in peace. He should be awarded the highest medal of honor in pakistan.

I am devastated by the news of Bob Woolmer's death - tragic indeed. Bob could have resigned or distanced himself after the debacle in England but he stayed with the team and proved his loyalty to team and fans of Pakistan. Salute to Coach Woolmer for his services for Pakistan.

Sad Pakistani Fan..

My deepest sympathies to Mr Bob Woolmers family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

RIP Bob Woolmer truly a great man a great friend and a great coach he spent his whole life improving the sport he loved so much he took over the coaching of the Pakistan team when we were down in a deep dark hole, and brought us to a point where we were at a respectable position in the world. He did so much for our team and even though our boys lost yesterday his commitment was shown in the match when he could be seen standing on the patio with a look of shame and sadness on his face. He could no longer live as he felt so much pain at the loss of the Pakistanis. Bob was always criticised but the truth is that he gave so much to Pakistani cricket, he turned a team of boys into men, his belief turned Mohammad Asif that same Asif who we saw as an immature young boy into a man who became a world wide threat and charged his way into the top 10 bowlers ranking in test cricket. Bob Woolmer should be given a tribute and his family should be supported in this time of need, Bob was truly a [U][B]PAKISTANI HERO[/B][/U]and will be missed by us all. We should all take a lesson from this man just look at his commitment he was so heart broken from the loss of the team he loved so much that he could no longer live. I would like to send my deepest condolences and prayers to his family. Our team should go back to Pakistan and work extremely hard for the next 4 years and then we should win the next world cup and dedicate it to Bob Woolmer.

R.I.P Bob Woolmer
You will be missed by everyone.
I hope them pakistani holigans in multan realise what they have lost.
'Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery'

Bob woolmer was a wonderful and innovative coach. The South African team would not have been the same today but for his efforts in the early days of the team after they had been readmitted to international cricket. As for Pakistan cricket, even Bob could not do much in terms of results.But he always tried to get the best out of every player. Cricket world would miss him. May his soul rest in peace

Thank you Bob. As cricket fans we owe you a million. May your soul rest in peace

It is an absoulte shame that a man of Bob's stature passed away in this fashion. No matter how angry and hurt the Pakistani people are they have to realise that after Imran Khan, Bob was the most professional thing that happened to Pakistan cricket. If any of you watched the joint interview of Inzi and Imran just before the world cup you would learn that Inzi makes all the decisions in the team. That means you cannot hold Bob accountable for who opens the innings. If you hold him accountable for the technical flaws than you are obviously not aware of Pakistan's miraculous first class system. We have not found openers since Saeed Anwar and Aamir Sohail. That is proof enough that even a magic wand couldnt solve the opening dilemma. I hope that Pakistanis everywhere appreciate his undying commitment to the team and for his courage to stand with it in the darkest of hours. May you rest in peace Bob.

Too sudden, too shocking. May his family have the strength and courage to get through these difficult times. God bless his soul.

Sanjay Sunder

Sad, shocked and speechless. Thats what I am right now.
The cricket world lost a priceless asset today. A bright, intelligent, thinking and modern coach who redefined a lot in the cricket coaching arena.

There is no doubt that he wanted and tried his best for the Pakistani team but the matter of fact is, his troops failed him. We can blame Bob for a lot of things but we shouldn't doubt his sincerity and honesty. He really wanted good for this team but our team didn't give him a chance to cheer at least once in the past 6 months.

Pakistan Cricket Board is run exactly as the Pakistan government is run. No respect for the talent,legends and greats. We never honored our greats properly as other countries do. We have done whatever possible to disgrace our greats once they disagree with us. Will this culture ever end ?

The death of Bob Woolmer is a shock and will remain so in the history of cricket. I am saddened as much as ashamed to have failed a coach who had set high standards in the cricketing world and was probably more sincere than all the team players combined together for Pakistan Cricket.

Bob Woolmer, hats off to you SIR. Your contribution to the cricketing world will always be remembered as much as your honesty, dedication and sincerity towards the game will be. We will miss you and our best prayers for you and your family. May Allah rest your soul in peace. AMEN.

Sir,

Bob Woolmer, 1948-2007.

"Here lies the mortal soul who had the guts to put up with the worse and have a few shadows cast upon his integrity and all else in the process-for he loved the game of cricket".

It is indeed a very, very sad day for cricket. Mr. Woolmer was an entrepreneur, cricketer, coach and a person with ambition. He took up a job that he knew would take a toll on him, a HUGE toll. He paid the ultimate price with his life. All through his life he took on challenges and some of which he won. His love for cricket was immense, no matter in what capacity he was always up for the challenge.

Stress is something that takes its toll on human body very cruely. He was a diabetic and if his sad demise turns out to be due to any cardiac related issues ( a disease related intricately with diabetes and stress and other factors ) it would, in his way, be coaching people from beyond the grave with his soft voice to be heart healthy and avoid stress. I wish he had been with his loved ones more and still be with us. He would have loved to face criticism in Pakistan about his teams' failure, and in his low key way respond to the media circus that awaited him. That clever old blue hair beat them (us) to it and for the last time showed how skilled and media savvy he was.

A great loss for cricket and an ultimate loss for his family. My thoughts and prayers are with his family in this hour of their pain and grief.

He will always be remembered as some one who, for once in Pakistan, showed that he was under extreme duress and stress that he failed in his quest for performing his job to the highest standards that he had set for himself; hence took all the responsiblity upon himself for his teams' failure. A lesson that more than a few of us can learn from.

May you always rest in peace Mr. Woolmer.

A. Kamran.

You are absolutely right Kamran, this is the nature of our culture, some times we forget that cricket is just a game, if you compare other aspects of life in our country they are worse than our cricket no body try to correct them, but yet expect that our cricket team should be at the top of the ladder, Bob is a great loss, not for the Pakistan cricket but for the whole world. My condolescence is with his family. I think if someone really wants to criticize please analyze the cricket system not the people,
Arshad Ali, New York

This has been the worst of news to come from the cricketing world. It is quite a shock for any Pakistani fan. He was greatly respected and admired, and I have been in utter shock and distress after hear this tragic news. He had done a lot for Pakistani cricket to be remembered a legend in his own right. He became the first coach in Pakistan's history to seperate politics from the game and work towards team unity and discipline. He died for cricket and for the cause of Pakistani cricket he died more than any other man could have ever imagined to do. He will be rememberd as arguably the greatest coach Pakistan has ever had, or ever will. In time, people will come to appreciate all that he has done for Pak cricket. I would like to take this opportunity to say sorry for any negative comments that I had made towards Bob on this website or any other. It must be said that I had the greatest respect for Bob and his coaching skills and only offered constructive criticism. No doubt though that some Pakistani fans have made personal comments against Bob, for which I would like to apologize as well. REST IN PEACE Bob Woolmer...
You will be in our hearts and minds forever and over years your contribution to Pakistani cricket will speak volumes..

MAY GOD Bless yours Soul...
RIP..

Javed A. Khan, i tottaly agree with you. The Zimbabwe match must be abandoned. Unfortunatley that won't happen cuz if windies lose and Zim. win then they would make it. Zim. aren't out so the match wont be cancelled. However when they play, i would like Inzi to dedicate the match to BOB and to show how much he meant to the team they should go out and slaughter Zimbabwe. My condolences are with Bob n' his family. He died as coach of
Pakistan and the only really passionate coach we ever had.

May his soul rest in peace! Cricket is not more important than any person's life and this should be known by the mobs of India and Pakistan. Act with dignity and understand that after all it's only a game. In essence, the people of Pakistan killed Bob. God bless his family.

Bob’s untimely passing away is yet another sad event for Pakistan cricket. He took up a rather impossible task of coaching the uncoachable, talented but uninspirable, and capable but unmotivated players. He gave it all he had, and ultimately gave it his life. A coach can only teach you how, but can not come and bat for you. He can only inspire you to perform, but can not come and dive for you. He can only tell you where to aim, but can not come and bowl for you. In the end, it was the players who forgot who and what they were playing for. May he rest in peace.

As soon as I heard the news of Bob Woolmer's death the shock of Pakistan loss yesterday (which kept me awake all night)seems to have died with him. I could never blame Bob for Pakistan's doings yesterday, a few days ago I felt that Ireland will win the match against Pakistan as Pakistani team similar to Indian team just cannot play in big matches. Oh all the Pakistan failures will be forgotten in a few days and life will go on like normal but Bob will not be forgotten.My heart goes out to Bob's family and prayers for this difficult time

Asalamalakum:

I am 28th year old Pakistani cricket fan from NJ and I am crying today at the loss of a Great Pakistani cricket coach. He was not of Pakistani blood but was born on the subcontinent so that makes him an honorary Pakistani. He did wonders for Pakistani cricket and the results might not show today but come 2 or 3 years everyone will see the results of his hard work and endless dedication to make Pakistan cricket the best in the world. The PCB did all it could do in the past six months to destroy his work but inshallah by next word cup, the world will see Bob Chahca's vision come through.
You have to realize why Bob took the Pakistani job. Being the coach of Pakistan is probably the most intense and pressure packed cricket job in the world, but Bob chacha took it. You see, he was the main driving force behind the ICC to develop cricket in non playing cricket countries. He saw that having only a dozen top playing nations did not do justice to this great game. He waneted to develop these other non playing cricket nations to broaden the game. What he saw in Pakistan was a great country, with great cricket tradition, great raw talent and passionate fans. He saw that this great cricket playing country was falling behind with cricket innovations such as high tech training techniques and creating cricket academies for young future prospects. He brought in computer software that countries like Australia and South Africa utilize to train their top athletes. The bottom line is that Pakistan will always have the talent but Bob Woolmer brought Pakistan cricket into the modern age. Yes the results didn't show it but in do time everyone will see, even Pakistani fans who didn't give him any credit the past 3 1/2 years. Hopefully you fans will realize what he gave to Pakistan and and how great his impact really was. He will be missed by a lot of Pakistani cricket fans. God, please bless his soul! Bob if your reading this in heaven, I want to say Shookreah (THANK YOU) for a job well done you will be missed! Howz that!
On a side note Kamran Sahib, can you please get me a mailing address for Bob Woolmers wife. I would like to express my sorrow for her Loss! Please e-mail me at rkaramat24@aol.com for her address or if you have another way for me to send her a short note, I would greatly appreciate it.

I hope people can for the moment forget all about the team and their performances. This is a totally different game, the one called life and death. Sad news to hear, I hope people think about him and his family for the time-being and alter we can talk about the game of Cricket cos that's all it is.Cricket.

Bob Woolmer's death was a shocker. Apparently, he took it upon himself very hard, was afraid to face media, public, former test players, all of whom were on a crusade to throw him out. What can a coach teach to players who don't want to learn. What can a coach teach to non-committed, non-dedicated, unenthusiastic players. Bangladesh, Ireland, Sri Lankans are winning in big ways. No body talks about who their coach is in these wins. Coach's role is useless if the player's don't want to rectify their mistakes. An Imran Nazir or Yasir Hameed will always flash at anything pitched outside the off-stump, no matter how much coaching they receive for not doing so. Supportes of Pakistan take out your anger on players like Imran Nazir, Hafeez, Younus Khan, Yousuf & Inzimam.These are the real culprits. The real vilian in this drama is Inzimam, who exuded negativity from every pore in his body. Knowing the sorry fate of Bob Woolmer, no body fom countries like Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand should even think once to accept a coaching job there. After supporting Pakistan from last fifty years, I have given up my loyalty. Naadan dost say dana dushman bahter hai.

Its just sad that he died coaching Pakistan - the most pointless, usless, pathetic excuse for a cricketing institution. He deserved better.

Thank you Bob. I always loved your responses to my emails. Today it seems like we all lost a family member. I totally agree with Abbasi that "In many ways the skill of Bob Woolmer was wasted on Pakistan cricket and many millions of Pakistan cricket fans around the world are grateful to him for taking up the challenge.". We love you and salute you. May your soul rest in peace.

we all love Bob..... Inshallah Allah will bless him....... he did his job but player dont have that much abilty to dominate.......

Bob was the best thing that happen to PAKISTAN CRICKET, will be missed by everyone LETS HOPE ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WERE SAYING DEATH TO BOB WOOLMER ARE REGRETING THIER STATMENTS HEY GUYS IT'S ONLY A GAME I HAVE SPORTED PAKISTAN CRICKET TO 35YEARS YOU HAVE UPS AND DOWNS FINALLY MAY ALLAH REST HIS SOUL IN HEAVEN.

We salute you Bob Woolmer for your contribution to cricket. May you rest in peace.

RIP Bob Woolmer.
I personally did not know Bob Woolmer as a person, but I have no doubt that he was a good man. My deepest condolences to Mrs. Woolmer, and family. Many will certainly miss him.
However, I dont think we should be sad about losing a good coach, because that is not what we lost. Bob Woolmer has left the Pakistani team, which is a good thing. However, he has also left this world, which is really sad.

I swore that Warwickshires loss was Pakistans gain and I really thought he did a good job with your nations cricket team. I am with you all and feel sad at this time of loss of a cricket legend. May we use this opportunity to join together as good decent people and reflect upon a world of trouble and relise that we can go forward
in peace and love. God Rest Bob woolmers Soul

My condolences to his family, Pakistani Taem and to whole Pakistan. Because he was like our Family member. Thank You Sir you made a big difference to Pakistani Cricket. I want to tell is Family and Mrs. Woolmer that Pakistan is Shocked and Sad because we lost World Cup and now we lost Woolmer.

I am completely shocked at this news. But one thing i know is all due to our players and our countrymen. Shame on us pakistanis. Now no foreign coach would ever think of coaching pakistan. Bob woolmer was a great coach and he should be awarded some kind of medal from pak government. WAKE UP PAKSITAN.

Bob paid the ultimate price of Pakistans failure in the world cup. It seem his "Gharat" could not take the humiliation of Pakistans failure. Alas, the BE-GHARAT Naseem Asharaf, Saleem Altaf and Waseem Bari will stay but the brave and gharatmad Bob left us
RIP BOB, we salute you

I share my utmost respect for MR. Woolmer and deepest condolence to his family. What waste of a precious life on bunch of eunuchs. Rest in peace, Mr. Woolmer. You will play forever in this game of glorious uncertainities.

In the end the coach can only do so much as the players (if they are willing to learn) and the cricket setup of the country allow. The root cause of cricket problem in Pakistan is the administration and they should be held responsible. Imran Khan has so many times before said that in cricket captains role is far important than even the best coaches and at international level you expect the players to know the basics. PCB should stop wasting money on coaches in the future as the wont find a man better equiped than Bob Woolmer and even he couldn't bring about much change in fortunes of team Pak. Seems to me like the utter disappointment of Pakistan was too much for him to bear and resulted in his untimely death. Hopefully we as a nation can be grateful for all he has done for us.

A sad sad news. Words cannot comprehend such a sorrow. My condolences to Bob's family and the Pakistani team who were known for thier fondness to Bob.

He was the right coach for a wrong team. Pakistan cricket revolves around personalities, not the game itself. Bob tried to weed this syndrome out of Pakistani psyche but we did not let him. He was a good man.

Bob did not fail at his job. Pakistani Cricket failed him. :(

May Bob Woolmer rest in peace. He did great things for cricket, my condolences to his family and close friends.

May His sole rest in peace..and may god help his family go through this trouble times

Today is a sad day for the Pakistani cricket. The coaching of Woolmer and the captaincy of Inzy had made a relatively younger team into a real threat for the best teams of the world. But things have gone downhill in the last few months, and today was the lowest point of that decline. I feel sad for Woolmer's family. My heart goes out to them.

As for the cricket team's performance, I don't hold Woolmer responsible. The blame lies with all members of the team particularly the captain but in my view the high-profile self-publicizing approach of our PCB director has hurt Pakistani cricket more than anything else. Instead of taking responsibility for the defeat in the World Cup, he has suddenly distanced himself from the defeat. If Pakistan had done in the World Cup, he would be in the front of the line to accept the credit. We need a PCB director who is not hungry for credit and fame. We need a person like Bob Woolmer who knew that his job was to coach and to serve cricket and not self promotion.

Pakistan must play the final game aganst Zimbabwe and win one for BOB, its only right! They owe it to him!

The last two days have been the worst days for Pakistan criket. Bob Woolmer will always be remembered in good words for all that he has done for Pakistan cricket. Inspite of our performance during the WC, he had made various other contributions. The best think I liked about him was how comfortable he became with Pakistan and its culture and values in such a short span of time. Goes to show the kind of welcoming person he was. My deepest condolences go out to his loved ones. Rest in Peace Bob

Mr Woolmer has concluded his innings in the ultimate game of "life". Iam sure with one of his gentle smiles still on his faces he gazes upon us from a better place. Now having transcended to the final destination he need not worry about the petty concerns of this material world.

Iam not personally acquainted to the departed, and now that he is gone I feel even more how little I knew the man. Yet just a few days ago I foolishly questioned his commitment, integrity, and devotion to his profession. I had not right to do so. I feel no shame in apologizing for that irrational response to what ultimately was the failure of the Pakistan team not him. After having read a little about his life and knowing a little more about his resilient character Iam sure he must have given his all for the success of the team he was coaching. That is all that should matter anyways.

We as a nation perhaps need to learn how to channel our frustration a little better. Defeat should not be a means to an end but instead we should learn to rise from the ashes of failure just like the pheonix.

Let us all take a moment and think for a second. How insignificant everything else appears in the face of the reality of life. We will all one day join him in this state of eternal bliss. All that we fret over will remain here on this earth. So lets learn a lesson from it all and work harder to carry on with his legacy and prove to the world that he did make us a better team. That his efforts resulted in not just a stronger side but better men in general.

Lastly, my heartfelt condolences to the grieving family of Mr. Woolmer. May God give you the strength and courage to deal with this sudden and untimley tragedy.

Bob woolmer was a great coach. Just yesterday I saw him quickly packing his stuff up after the game. As the camera skipped past him, and the commentator made a comment about how hurry he was in. I am sure it was the pressure building up and he mustve been thinking about everything he'd have to face. His last blod entry read that "Even though Australia think they would win the world cup, Pakistan will surely take it home". If not this year we will do it the next year for Bob. I think he put up with a lot from the pakistani players, just having to coach a teach that can hardly speak english is enough of a job, let alone anything else. I am sure he knew that not having shoaib, asif, afridi, injured razzak would take a toll on the pakistani team and thier place in the W/C but he really did deeply cared about Pakistan. In my mind as I saw him on news many times, he came across as a nice person, friendly and ready to get along with anyone and deal with any situation. To this day and for the rest of the time I will have his image in my mind as a "Jolly go around person".
RIP Bob Woolmer and my condolences to your family in this hard time.
Just want to let you know that his struggle for Pakistan to make it a better team, will not be ignored.
God Bless Him!

A commited and pro guy given an impossible task of coaching a bunch of uncommited bastards gave away his life for the game....shame on u INZI

Win/loss, outpouring emotions, violent protest, burning pictures…………all looks so worthless, so meaningless…………………..at the end, it was simply a game, and the better team on a particular day won…………why so much fuss? Bob’s unexpected demise, after the young Bangladeshi cricketers reminds us how privileged we are to enjoy the life. Today Engle of death spare us to take the soul of someone else, on a destine day Engle of death will spare someone else to take one of our souls, we are lucky to have the time to prepare for that inevitable day, while enjoying the life!

Like others, I am also shocked with sudden death of Bob woolmer. May his soul rest in Peace

Though I am not a pakistani, I follow Pakistani cricket witrh GREAT PASSION.
I blame Bob's death squarely on the players who did not perform BUT expected a miracle to come from heaven to help them, and thus tremendous pressure on the coach.
I hope pak cric board learns a lesson from this episode.
Heartfelt condolences to Bob's wife and children.Our prayers are with you during this difficult time.

It's a shame that those 11 players return back to pavillion and the leader those the other way.

People have to decide who is a real pakistani?

One of the worst days for cricket.My sincere condolences to Woolmer's family. But does'nt this go to show how badly hurt he was from our defeat, does'nt it show his dedication to OUR team....O how badly i wish that we had won that one match and today we probably had'nt had to face such a terrible day. If only......
There are not many cricketing minds like him around and for cricket to suffer such a big loss....Hail the man who took his responsibiliy seriously ...could this be the shock our NATION needs to come out of its slumber, I hope it is. rest in Peace, Bob.

Bob, it was all of us, not you alone, we all lost the game not only you, why u did that? I cried, why? We love you, may Allah bless your soul in piece we shall always remember your efforts for pak cricket...

I cannot believe this happened, he was the best coach that i have seen in my life time, he supported the pakistan team soo much and even outside the feild he dedicated his life to pakistan cricket, i am truly sadened by his dead i hope he rest in peace.

You will always remain in our heart.Whatever you have done for our team have been greatly respected.Bob, you have been the best coach Pakistan cricket ever had.You were a great coach of an ungrateful cricket team.you definitely deserved more than this.The Pakistani nation slaute you and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
God bless you and may your soul rest in peace

Fisrt of all i offer my deepest of condolences to Bob's family. He was great man. Since Bob joined the Pakistan team, we have always felt about him like our own national, I must say that many eyes have went tears like mine as well for Bob's shocking death. I salute Bob for all his service's to cricket world and especially Pakistani cricket team. It have been wonderful having Bob aside, he was a loving and joyful person.
"MAY ALLAH REST HIS SOUL IN HEAVEN"

i was initially very angry when pakistan lost to Ireland but this is just too tragic. Bob was a good man and a gentle soul and he was NOT to blame for the teams dismal performances as these things can happen to the best of teams. I send my deepest condolances to Bob's family and friends. Cricket is not bigger than someones life. To hell with such cricket that would hurt someones heart so bad that it could literally take a life. Bob you will alsways be bigger than the game! god bless you!

I am in complete shock, not just by the quick exit of the Pakistan team (although in my heart I almost expected it at some stage early in the competition) but by the most tragic news ever linked to World Cup Cricket and Pakistan. I am deeply sadden by the loss of a very jovial and splendid coach, dear Bob, with whom I have had corresponded with on his site. He was passionate for the game and really wanted to be in touch with the players, the fans and anyone else interested in cricket. He did his best to promote it worldwide. His past achievements showed he had the potential (England were probably lining him up as their next coach!). It was unfortunate he got bogged down by Pakistan Crckets red tape - the poor cricket infrastructure, lack of grass roots cricket, mis-management and political monkey business and the fact he had such a limited set of players to work with. The players were limited (not neccessary in talent), but most certainly in mental makeup and technical skills.
Bob will be rememebered for doing his best and hanging in there during the tough times when other lesser men would have walked. My condolenses to the family. May he RIP. Amen.

Nightmare for Pakistan,
the loss to Ireland yesterday was nothing compared to the shock we recieved today.

such a tragic loss for us all

My deepest condolences to Bob Woolmer's family.

May he rest in peace

I cannot believe someone can have so much passion for the game that he gives up his life. I feel for Bob and Pakistani players, they tried their best. Losing to Ireland did hurt Woolmer's pride and it was too hard for anyone to swallow Pakistan's loss to Ireland. But, it's game after all at the end of the day. I feel very sorry and well, I hope that PCB learns something from this and guys, end this politics, money..money...money..nothing goes with you. Live like tiger as long as you live and try your best. Please for God sake end this politics and give chances to players who truly deserve it. That would be tribute to a person who laid down his life for game. I still cannot believe it.May God Bless his soul

To the greatest thing that ever happened to a sorry and spineless team...Rest in Peace Bob Wooler...you deserved much better....

I always used to support Inzy and Woolmer even during losses. Even after Ireland's loss. Its extremely hard to function in a system where everyone is out to get you.

This is a lesson for the Pakistani public, to understand what kind of pressure they exert on our players and coach.

I am extremely saddned by his unexpected demise as he was truly the best coach Pakistan ever had.

Its not Cricket / Players / Loss to Ireland that killed Bob, Its the public, So called fans that killed him. I was reading through cricinfo news that some pakistani Senate members, Sarfraz Nawaz, Press issued statements such as "Fire Them", "Hang Them" .. People have gone Paranoid .. Would you hang yourselves if you loose a game of Cricket ? Sarfraz Nawaz .. Did you even slap yourself when you performed poorly ? What right does anyone have to talk about others ... Why do you make them GODS if they win a game ? and Why do you want to kill them if they loose a game ? Its the public that is the problem. I am an Indian .. When India lost to Bangladesh .. At our home we were looking at some of the statements made in Indian Media .. and thought .. If i was a cricketer .. I would have rather died than listening to the abuses made. How many lives will Indian and Pakistani Fans need before they get back to their senses. God bless all the cricketers who have given us so much joy for decades .. Inzi , Bob, Rahul , Greg .. and to every other player / coach associated with Cricket .. I bow to you all for bearing all the injustice being done to you day after day .. You all will always be known for your skills and for the joy you brought to us. Doesn't matter if you lost a game ... as to the public .. Who cares.. They are nobody anyways .. They will live like insects and die like insects .. They will never know the what it takes to make a International Cricketer .. God Bless you ALL!!

He was a great person and a very lively man, otherwise it would have been difficult to deal with this pakistanti team full of raw, crude and indisplined players. To take a job of Pakistani coach in itself is a big challenge.He took this challenge and always supported players in all conditions even during the Oval episode and Doping scandal.I donot think that Pak will get a better coach than Bob. Pakistani govt should help his family and team should play a match for his family support.

This is indeed a sad day for Pakistan and Pakistani cricket. Bob Woolmer was a thorough and dedicated coach with a loyalty to the country he adopted, far exceeding that of some of its own countrymen. I hope we Pakistanis learn something from this incident which we couldnt learn during Bob Woolmers life. Integrity, Character and Loyalty come before all else.
May Allah have mercy on Bob's soul.

So shocked and saddend to hear the death of The great Bob Woolmer, Still cnt believe it, He made huge differences to the pakistan since arriving in 2004.

I was luck enough to meet him scotland when they toured england in 2006, A true gentleman and a great coach,

rest in peace.

What is there to write! Bob Wolmer, the only man of dignity among the brigade of shameless officials associated with Pakistan cricket collapsed under the mismanagement of a cricket board and the inaptitude of a team he had worked so hard to build.

In one of my recent comments to Bob’s recent tour diary I reiterated that he was the only coach in memory that had brought some much needed stability to Pakistan cricket. It is no coincidence that despite all our frailties we are ranked number 3 in both forms of the game and had it not been for the so-called injured (drugged and undisciplined to be precise!) players we would have done even better.

Unfortunately there has been endless criticism of Bob’s inability to find a reliable opening pair. Kamran, I ask you are there any technically sound batsmen in our domestic cricket endowed with the ability to counter the seam and swing? None! People can brag all they want about Yasir Hameed and Salman Butt; the truth of the matter is that they would not have made much of a difference. Hameed was found on the South African wickets and Mr Butt could not even cope with the gentle medium pace of Pathan on docile Pakistani pitches.

The question is: who is to blame then?

During Ayub Khan’s regime it was said that he was Faisalabad's clock tower! There was no escaping his influence and authority in any matter. Unfortunately we have not come a long way since. Still the sole criterion to occupy a position of national importance is how tight you are with the ruler of the time. Dr Nasim Ashraf is a prime example of this painful phenomenon.

Since its inception how many bosses has PCB had that actually knew how to hold the God damned cricket bat in their hands and not between their legs? Not only were most of these guys unfamiliar with the sport they were poor administrators; in fact to call them 'administrators' is an abuse of the term. The result is the shambles of our WC 2007 campaign. It is shameful to mention PCB’s role in dealing with the following issues:

1. Captaincy dispute around the ICC Champions Trophy
2. Druggies: particularly Shoaib Akhtar
3. Akhtar’s derogatory treatment of Bob Wolmer and Inzamam
4. Waqar Younis’ sacking as bowling coach and the subsequent steep decline of Rana Naveed and co.
5. Mushtaq Ahmad’s controversial appointment as bowling coach on Inzi’s behest (was he appointed to coach Kaneria, who was then not even a part of Pakistan ODI side!)

Any lesser man would have spit on the face of management and left for good. Bob’s fault was that he honoured his commitment and tried his best to do the job he loved so much.

But is there someone man enough to take responsibility for the chain reaction of one disaster after the other up to the tragic death of Bob Wolmer? Not someone with a Green Passport I bet! Probably we should all blame Darrel Hair.

(Plz Kamran, post these comments in full. I am not an emotional person but I can’t help it anymore.)

Sad demise of Bob woolmer tells us the stress involves with modern day sports. Bob was a genius and I still can't believe that he has passed away. No doubt pakistan cricket will not recover from this mental blow for years to come. All critics of Bob woolmer now needs to shut up as his death showed the amount of stress and grief he had on board with pakistani team's defeat. A coach can only guide a team, not play for them. My deepest condolences to Bob woolmer's family. May God rest his soul in peace. (Ameen)

This day should go down in the history books as the day Pakistan cricket hit rock bottom. Black Sunday if you will. Bob Woolmer's death has left the world in a state of shock. If we as a cricketing nation have the smallest iota of integrity and dignity, then we should ought to hang our heads in shame. Our cricket team should resign from their positions. There is only so much a coach can do, there is famous saying "You can take a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink". I think Mr. Woolmer did the best anyone has ever done with our team, but how low can a team sink that we depart the world cup in such disgraceful fashion?. I extend my deepest condolences to Mr. Woolmer's family and I plead the Pakistani government to posthumously reward him with a medal of honour for service to our nation.

I wish I could express my sorrow here. Had hardly come out of the grief of Pakistan's loss that this shocking news came. I feel deeply aggrieved over the loss of the bereaved family. His life was dedicated to the promotion of cricket. Much has been said and will be said over his achievements and dedications to cricket; much by those who knew him and some by those who didn't know him. I would just like to put it in Nasser Hussain's words, 'he deserved a better end'. Having said that I would also like to tell our people back home who are fond of burning effigies of people that everyone has an end here. Yes, we know people in Pakistan are very sentimental about cricket, not to mention the sensitivity attached to cricket across the border, yet we must think twice before taking such actions, that we must learn to pay respect to professionals, that we must realize, the actions we do here build our image as a nation abroad. Can those people justify their actions now, or is Bob's death a negligible proof to his attachment with Pakistan's cricket?
I, Bob, offer an apology. I'm convinced that the loss is ours; one that you thought was yours.
Now, as I’m writing these lines, the news of Inzimam’s retirement have also caught the eye. I wish sanity prevails and we come out of this shocking defeat unhurt. This defeat has already damaged international cricket by taking away Bob.
I just wish there were no more casualties to the Ireland defeat.
By saying this, I don’t want to infer that those responsible shall not get a whip. But I ask of Pakistani nation to act sensibly. Yes, I know people can’t take this loss easily. I’m a Pakistani too, so much so that I fell ill over this defeat myself and had hardly recovered when I heard the news of Bob’s sad demise. He proved a better Pakistani than me at least.
For those who think Pakistan team management is responsible for the defeat, I would just like to request that they give a little attention to Ireland’s performance in the matches leading to world cup and the warm up matches. Yes, I know our players batted miserably, that they were too afraid of the green on the pitch but Ireland had also come to play and they did bowl good lines. Take a look at the replays, only one Pakistani main batsman got out to an irresponsible shot; most of them were victims of some good deliveries bowled by Irish bowlers.
But I know whatever I say yet many heads will roll like they did in 2004. We must learn from history; that we still couldn’t make it to the next round. Nothing we do in the aftermath of this loss will guarantee a place in the next grand event. Our team needs support at this critical juncture. I request the nation to come up in their support. Yes, I know there were some undeserving players in the team. But cricket must come out as a winner in the end. I earnestly feel that some players like Inzimam, Yousaf and Younis are given a fair chance to improve the record books.
I just want to repeat my wish that THERE WERE NO MORE CASUALTIES TO THE IRELAND DEFEAT.
I also wish we give a chance to this team to pay tribute to Bob’s cricketing career by putting up a good performance. And I also wish that we give a chance to this team to satisfy Bob’s spirit.

im very shocked and sad...not only Pakistan but the World has lost a great cricketing mind...
my deepest condolenses to Mr. Woolmer's family...
Bob we will miss you...and salute all the great work you have done for Pakistan and World Cricket

Just awfully sad. A fine player and a great coach - and, by all accounts a very nice man. God bless, Bob, and my condolences to those he leaves behind.

When a team cannot get the bat to make contact with the ball against amateurs like Ireland, it is most definitely not the coach's fault. But yes, it was Bob Woolmer's fault that he thought he could change a bunch of petty, selfish and lazy individuals aka Pakistan cricket team. As a nation, it has become our habit to lay the blame on other people and 'kismat' . As has been proven by his death, Bob Woolmer was a dedicated and sincere person and I feel very very saddened, that the players of my country are somewhat responsible for this tragedy.

HE PLAYED FOR CRICKET AND DIED FOR CRICKET.
My heartfelt condolences for Bob's family.
I wish the Chairman of PCB had the guts along with his Selectors have same conscience and leave cricket forever .
Everyone will die one day , but dying with GRACE is something else.
At least compared to the spineless Cricket Board and management ( with the Cricket Board Chairman peeping into the players dressing’s room) , BOB at least died with GRACE.

May god bless your soul. You truly lived and died for the game and for that you deserve the utmost respect.

I express my deep shock, and sorrow at the passing away of Bob Woolmer. The game is indeed poorer for it. I give my heartfelt condolences to the Woolmer family, and in praying that God rest his soul in peace, I pray that God give the Woolmer family, the strength and courage needed in such times of grief

I feel physically sick.

Dear Bob,may your soul rest in peace.
You gave us Pakistanis your all I hope you could have gotten a bit of happiness in return.

A very sad day for all cricket fans.
My condolences to Mrs.Woolmer and the rest of the family.

When my friend called me and told me about the news, I thought it was a bad joke and he was just venting his frustration after yesterday's defeat... Sadly, that was not the case. I am deeply saddened by the demise of one of the greatest thinkers the world of cricket will ever see. I have been an avid fan since his days with the South African team.
My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends and I too hope that his death did not have anything to do with Pakistan's loss because that guilt will be too hard to swallow for most of us cricket fans in Pakistan.
He took on an impossible mission and he actually tried to accomplish it. For all those who think he has done nothing for Pakistani cricket, let me remind them that for almost his entire tenure, Pakistani team was ranked third in the world and that's no mean feat.
We Pakistanis thank him from the profound depths of our hearts for the services he rendered for Pakistan Cricket.
May God bless his soul.

We will miss you Bob.
You were the best thing ever happened to Pakistani cricket team.
I think we all should realize that the problem is not with coaches and players, it is with SYSTEM. Pakistan has been eliminated in first round, back to back in two World cups. This is a good enough sign that whatever process and system PCB is following is not working.
So wake up (PCB) god damit, and change the SYSTEM.

I would like to say a BIG Thanks to Bob services. He did alot for Pakistan cricket. When Pakistan cricket was in demise, he helped Pakistani's to raise their standard of game. He had a great understanding with Inzi, thats why Inzi always respected him. The world of cricket lost a legend, a marvellous coach with revolutionary ideas.
I would like to say Sorry on behalf of whole nation as well. Sorry for those unprofessional people who are burning his and Inzi's effigies. I feel sorry for his death and want to send condolences to his family. He will be remembered.

Thanks alot Bob, your services for Pakistan are highly appreciated !!!

Bob Woolmer's tragic death seems to be the culmination of the most tumultous period in Pakistan cricket. It also puts the game in to perspective for all of us.

I met Bob in Barabados a couple of years ago. I was down there with some friends to watch Pakistan play the Windies. After three days of the test match, the Pakistan team was down and out and staring defeat in the face. That night we were out having dinner at a local seaside restaurant. Just as we sat down we noticed that Bob was having dinner there with two other people (perhaps his wife and son). He was just finishing up and as he got up to leave I turned around and said "Hey Bob" without really knowing how we would respond. To our surprise, he walked over and started talking to us in an extremely friendly and casual manner. We talked for about 5-10 minutes in which he expressed regret for the performance in that particular test match but said that "we will win the second test in Jamaica and tie the series". He also, surprisingly, told us about the fight between Younis and Afridi in the dressing room at the end of the first day's play. That was well before that story was picked up by the press. He then talked about the mental fragility of the Pakistan team and how an episode like that caused the individuals in the team to go in to their own individual corner. He then clinched his fist to signify how the team comes together when they are playing India. We wished him luck, thanked him for his good work with the Pakistani team and promised to show up the next day to cheer the team on. He thanked us for the support. The next day Pakistan lost but not before Afridi entertained us with a century.

Bob was clearly passionate about cricket, very approachable and understood the mental challenges of the Pakistan team. What we were suprised by was his willingness to discuss openly what was clearly a controversial dressing room issue. And there in probably lies one reason why he had some trouble with the cricket structure in Pakistan where most controversial issues are swept under the rug.

While I felt that it was time for the Pakistan team and Bob Woolmer to go their separate ways it was not because of any short comings on his part. I think he made a tremendous impact in the first two years of his tenure. The Pakistan team showed spine - Akmal and Razzaq in Mohali, Malik's match saving century in Sri Lanka and Asif's match winning performance in the same series, Akmal's match winning inning against India at Karachi, the victory against England at Multan, the fightback against India first with the series tying victory at Bangalore and then the come-from-behind 4-2 win in the ODIs. The home series against England was probably the high point of Bob's tenure. The slide in Pakistan's fortunes over the last year probably had more to do with Inzamam and the manner in which he seemed to marginalize Bob's role - especially since the England tour last summer.

Bob's tenure saw the emergence of Younis, Yousuf, Malik, Asif, Gul, Kaneria, and Akmal (who despite his recent troubles has a fair amount of talent). What he was unable to produce was a reliable opening pair and any other middle order batsmen to take over from the Big-Three. Nevertheless, his contribution was substantial and his legacy to Pakistan cricket will be some of these players that he helped nurture and develop.

Above all, as I learnt through my own personal interaction, Bob was a good man. His passing the day after one of the worst losses of his career is a cruel twist of fate. But he will be remembered for all the great things he accomplished in cricket all around the world. Bob - We will miss you. Rest in peace.

deeply shocked to hear about Bob Woolmer. Am tired of hearing about Pakistan talent. Their fielding was always lousy, their bowling weakened by the absence of the two irresponsible dopes, and then batting like amateur schoolboys. The only thing left is heart and they did not show that either. Where do they get these disgraceful players from? World class cricket has more to do with thinking and patience that comes through education. Picking all these guys from the village who have none, and glorifying players like Afridi. Only Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Yousef and Umar Gul deserve to stay. Inzy should be out first, with Kamran, Younis a quick second. The rest cannot even be considered players for world class cricket.

My deepest condolences. I will only say he was made for teams like South Africa who listened to others. I am sure his intent was good but we did not deserve a person like him. We made him looked bad so much so we all (including me) started criticising them. I don't know in hindsight how he thought about his decision to accept Pakistan coaching job. I feel sad like everybody. My care to Bob's family.

My condolences are with Bob's family.

Pakistan was very lucky to have Bob accepting the difficult job of coaching Pakistan's talented cricketers. I thank his family for going through the pain of absence of a family member just for the sake of a job, a job from which he shall never return.

I am sure Bob's credibility was at stake when he took this job but he under estimated the stance of Pakistani decision makers...Patron and Cheif, Chairman PCB, Chairman and members of the proud selection committee, players of Pakistan cricket team and also the nation of Pakistan.

Bob must have thought he is taking a job where he will be rewarded with thanks and gestures of cooperation to attain the objective of making Pakistani cricket team a winner with free hand.

He will never know the nature of this nation and its people. This non Pakistani who was just doing his job took it to his heart and gave his life for that cause and his credibility was lost due to all the above mentioned people who are responsible for todays tragic out come....but all the responsible culprits will live without any remorse...thinking that everbody is MAD and UPSET right now, our business will restore and begin again after the storm settles.

I do not think any body will ever come and help us,even for handsome money, if WE are not ready to
help our selves....to bring right people to do the job and not the people who got PAARCHEE and Sifarish.

Bob never realised the team that gets selected is all "who you know, not what you know" and that is what my great nation is all about.
Inzi, M Yousuf, Shoab Malik, Younis Khan,Hafeez,Sami,Umar Gul they are innocent b/c they cannot perform in all games. Rest of the players should be out not only from Pakistani team but also from the street teams in their home towns. I demand that good people should be brought to make good decisons or else our country will suffer in every prospect let cricket alone.
Pakistani people should refrain from attacking cricketers' property and families because this is not right !

BOB GOD BLESS YOU!

Oh God! Is this the Darkest of Days. Bob Woolmer's death puts so many things into perspective that It's Just a GAME! just a game for crying out loud. It should never take lives, no matter what the consequences or the results are.
Pakistan cricket is just a mere reflection of the general society, which has enough good in it to prevent a complete Armageddon, but consistently harbors indiscipline and irrationality.
Bob tried. At least he tried. He was a good man, a man with honest and sincere intentions and he will be remember as such.
Rest in Peace BW.

Woolmer no doubt the best coach Pakistan cricket have ever seen. He not only worked to make the Pakistan cricket better but also worked with the individual cricketers to improve their everyday life style. I can't believe that he has passed away. No body in the world wants to die like this that to which institution he or she been linked perform so badly on the previous day of his or her death. Its sad rather very sad I don't have words to explain my sorrows. My sympathy is with his family and also with Pakistan criket team who are going through a very tough period through past few months. May Bob's soul rest in peace. Amen

I didn't really knew a lot about him until i just now when i read the articles posted on the web. i didn't knew that much about him. the passion he felt for cricket, his innovative techniques. i think we: the people of the subcontinent need to realize the fact that in the end cricket is just a game and even the biggest team can lose to the smallest team. We need to channel the passion which we feel for the game in the right direction.

RIP Bob - May God bless your soul ....
IK

Bob's demise is a terrible loss to Pakistan Cricket and the cricket world in general. He took on one of the most difficult job, coaching a Pakistani team, and the team failed him.
My heart goes out to his family and I offer my deepest condolences at this trying time.

RIP Bob - my deepest condolences to Mrs Woolmer and his family. A very sad day in Pakistan cricket.

bob woolmer.. we miss you and may you rest in peace. his death is defnitly an effect of the disastrous performance of this dismal team and players. in 2003, he was hired, simply bc of the horrible performance of this same team. now, after 4 years of working extremely hard with these players, not only have they let down billions of fans around the world, they let down the one man that backed the team most, woolmer. and now look, woolmer is gone, and it doesnt take a rocket scientist to figure that this damn weak performance was the reason why.. We will miss you bob, RIP.

i think pakistan should stop playing all sports. they are only good in goolli ganda.its shame to see pakistani players representing pakistan in any sports. they need to learn from the bangladeshi players to play cricket. pakistan should be ban from participating in any sports.

Saddened, Disheartened, Devastated!!!!
What a cruel way of reminding all Pakistani and Indian fans that there is LIFE BEYOND CRICKET!!
R.I.P.

Our deepest condolences to Bob's family. This is tragic and shocking.
We are all grateful for all Bob did and tried to do for Pakistani cricket.
From fans in Kingston, Jamaica.

he was indeed a great personality!! what a wonderfull gentleman! his talents were all waisted on a disgracefull pakistani team who knew left from right!! with uneducated idiots like inzamam shoib and afridi representing there country what do u expect from the country men??? i still doubt the PCB would have lernd there lesson!! u were a great coach SIR! may ur legend live for ever!! inzamam this should have been u and the others!! shame on the whole of pakistan!!

Bob Woolmer will be remembered for bringing together a group of indiviuals and making them into a team. Recent losses have not tarnished his image in our eyes as idiotic policies of PCB are to blame.
My condolences to Bob's family.
May you rest in peace and find a place in heaven. Inshallah
Shahid, Cleveland

My deepest thoughts go to Bob Woolmer's Family and also to Pakistan Team. The team must be devastated as they are aware of the fact that Bob did not get the fair deal with Pakistan team due to politics. Pakistani cricketers are not very appreciative at best of time and I am a huge fan of Pakistan team and could not sleep last nigh but Bob Woolmer's news shook me to my roots. I really am shocked that a man of his calibre loved and respected a game of cricket so much. Solute to you Bob. You will always be regarded as one of the greatest coaches in cricket history. We love you all.

My heartfelt condolences to Bob Woolmer's family.
At this tragic time, let all the cricket world and
fans, remember that Bob was a true servant of Pakistan's cricket.The odds for success, in coaching a team from Pakistan, is beyond measure. Bob, devoted a good part of his life to the challenge, with commitement,diligence and professionalism.
Let all those who criticised, be ashamed.Pakistan's cricket is infected and needs to be treated. Bob, under extenuating odds tried to treat this infection without any appreciation from the 'no goods'. May these individuals step forward and be counted. The stress was too much.
Bob, you have done your job well, to your family and to cricket. May you rest in eternal peace.

A blank space which can be never filled now, bob proved that he was true soldier of cricket, may god bless your soul, "SIR BOB"

though am from india i have always been in awe of woolmer's tactical grasp of the game.the world will not see his like again.. RIP bob and have a safe journey to the place of everlasting peace.

i read an artice earlier today in which former pak cricketers had criticised bob woolmer for the performance of pakistani team. i didnt agree with their opinions at all, as it was not the fault of one of the greatest coaches in the world, but the fault of pakistani players for their performance in the world cup.i would always hear him say that cricket was his passion,me n majority of the pakistani people would believe his words.i just got back from work n this is the first thing i read.i cant believ, he is no more, pakistan cricket would miss a bob woolmer who sacrificed his life for pakistan cricket.my deepest sympathy goes to his family n may Allah bless his soul n give courage to his family to bear the pain n suffering caused by his death. n dis day should be remembered as a black day for pakistan cricket

RIP BOb. You made sacrifices for a sport that is a religion in our country. The administrators of Pakistan's cricket should a learn from this great man. President Musharraf has been the main cause of the unmentionable downgrading quality of Pakistan's cricket. We have a President who cares only about himself and keeping his people safe. Who will listen to the real cricket lovers?

The “foreign coach” passed way this morning. This has caused a lot more sadness for those of us who care about cricket in Pakistan.

I’m personally very shocked and saddened by this tragedy. It seems that Bob Woolmer is the only one who felt the greatest responsibility for the loss.

I think this man literally and figuratively gave his life for cricket.

Every one else of our comrades in charge of Pak Cricket leadership seem to be engaged in a CYA operation and refusing to accept responsibility.

The least they can do is to resign and make room for new blood.

Bob,
You will most definately be missed by all the true Pakistani fans.

The tragic death of Bob Woolmer is a remider for all of us to not forget our humanity in the face of dramatization of sports, be it cricket or soccer. It should remind us that after all this is just a sport. It should help us reflect on how trivial our anger is, how superficial our passion for cricket is. If the reason for Bob's tragic departure is our loss to Ireland, why it should be so? Is it a good enough cause? If it was the pressure and the depression of loosing 'a' cricket match, should we all not share the burden of his death. After all, we are partly responsible for causing the emotions of desperation, frustration, disppointment, fear and so on. May we all learn to see cricket as simply a form of sport, something to be enjoyed but not sensationaized. May his soul rest in peace.

RIP Bob thank you for everything you have done for Pakistan cricket

he is really nice person i met him once a time in my life
i am very sad with this news and if he did something or it happen with hin only cricket
he is the real men i have no words to say about him he did a great secrifie for pakistan team
sorry men i am so sad

sorry bob we let you down.the person most responsible for this tragedy is maulana inzi.after the loss to windies last week,dr.naseem ashraf openly told his close friends staying in the same hotel,that inzi calls all the shots.he is the one who forces his bad decisions on managment and players.he solely picked rana naveed despite his repaeted dismal performances is because rana had grown a beard and joined tableeghi jumaat.if president of the board feels that he could not confront inzi and his hegemony then we can only imagine what bob must have to go through day in and day out.during the same interactions bob woolmer himself complained that some of the players dont listen to him at all,the worst being imran nazeer.like millions of others i could not sleep last night,cricket was the only escape we had,and now the mullah has taken that away as well.mullah has destroyed the fabric of our society now he has destroyed cricket as well.next time maulana yusuf should come to bat wearing a burqa since he has refused to be photographed.

A black day in the cricket history of pakistan. we will miss you BOB. Pakistan Govt should give him the highest civilian award and PCB & pakistani players should atleast go to his home country to attend the funerals. and i will ask the bloody ex players of pakistan like MIANDAD that shut ur mouth who was the enemy of BOB coz he occupied miandad's job.

The Cricket Board of Pakistan faces tragedy in multiple faces. The PCB is incapible of managing the Pakistan Cricket team; which is the very bane of its existence. Condolences to coach woolmer's family.

Bob Woolmer was given an impossible task of coaching the Pakistan cricket team. He worked harder than anyone before, with passion, courage and humility. It worked also - until the Oval debacle which unwinded all the unity and team spirit that he worked for so hard till that time. We as a team and as a nation let him down. As a coach he was not given the respect he deserved; we should all be ashamed for calling for his head when it was not his fault - the fault lied with the team, the management and all the cooks that are spoiling the broth. We never gave him peace of mind, and now alas he could not take more of this tirade. Shame on us all.
Sorry Bob for all the bad things we kept saying about you for so long. You were always wonderful. May your soul rest in peace. Amen

Unbelievable! I am still shaking my head in disbelief. God bless you Bob. You will forever be remembered as a great coach, a wonderful human being, and one of the gems of world cricket. Rest in peace.

Both Saturday(03/17) and Sunday(03/18) are the dark days in cricket. Saturday was the cause for Bob's loss on Sunday, no doubt.
I am an Indian but I feel sorry for many of my Pakistani friends. Even I wanted to have either India or Pak or both to go all the way to the finals.
There is no religion and secularism in sports. This World Cup is showing an example that "don't talk, show it in action". Mostly India would also follow Pakistan's path of exit.
It's high time to review the endorsements, hype and fame generated through the emotions of billions of cricket fans.
Surely, the players are over-paid and how many are contributing towards to charity.

Poor Bob , succumbed to emotions. May his soul rest in peace.

RIP Bob Woolmer,

The coach can not be blamed for a teams failure on the pitch! My heart cries out for a man who gave it his all for Pakistani Cricket. He worked so hard, to work in very bad situations and got blamed most of the time; simply because our players were not up to standards of international cricket.

Bob was by a distance the best coach Pakistan had, and they will never have a coach again that can match the work ethic, spirit and the positive atmosphere around the team.

Bob ..... I hope u didn't blame yourself for the teams failure. You did what you could, but the players always let you down. The illiterate team members and crowds always played the blame game.

The fact of the matter is that the standards for their international game are poor. Domestic structure is still shambles, and as a die hard pakistani fan I feel disgusted by not only the teams performance but the behaviour of the people back home.

"After all its only a Game..." - Bob Woolmer (RIP)

May Allah rest Bob Woolmer’s soul in peace and grant his family patience and resolve in dealing with this tragedy.

I write this with a deeply saddened heart but when such incidents happen it really puts things into perspective and a game of cricket all of a sudden means nothing at all. Today the world has lost a dignified man, a thorough professional who always gave 100%.

Bob Woolmer always said that you need to play the game first and foremost for enjoyment after all it is only a game and if you are not enjoying it then you should not be here. Bob Woolmer’s contribution to the game and to Pakistan certainly gave not only fans of the game enjoyment but also the players of the game enjoyment.

As a supporter of Pakistani cricket I am extremely grateful to Bob for his wonderful work with the Pakistani cricket team…he was a dedicated scholar of the game who passed away in the line of duty for Pakistan and as a result I hope he is honoured duly.

Rest in peace Bob…we miss you!!

GOD BLESS YOUR SOUL BOB

Words always cant describe what heart feels. althrogh his tenure with Pakistan people loved him and criticsm from former players on BOB . well it comes with package when you coach Pakistan and hats off to BOB it was first day when general public questioned his involvment in Pakistan team and they got their answers. he did his job honestly and he gave his life for it he died on job ...
i do agree with one of comments that he should be hounoured in Pakistan and Pakistan govt and pcb should recognze his services.
i am hurt as everybody and my condolance to bobs family. may almighty give them strength to take this shock.

Open Letter to India and Pakistan Fans

Now, after huge amount of hype about the world cup is over. Now Pakistan is out of the WC. Who knows what will happen next FRIDAY to India. We already lost a precious life to this stupid game, rightly called "Game of uncertainties". I sincerely feel please spare the lives of the cricketers when they return home and live their lives normally. Its just a game. They are just humans. Please don't harm them. Just think how many good things they did during their glorious playing days.

PLEASE.

thanx BOB wt you gave to cricket and May God rest you in peace...
I luved your passion fr da game as i was ur great follower

MAY BE THE FANS IN SUBCONTINENT SHOULD REALIZE THAT CRICKET IS JUST A GAME AT THE END OF THE DAY. WHY GET SO EMOTIONAL? THE WORLD CUP CAN BACK TO PAKISTAN OR INDIA, BUT CAN BOB WOOLMER COME BACK?

Bob showed his honesty with his work and could not bear the defeat of Pakistani team. We as a Pakistani (and most importantly as a Muslim) should learn from this incident. We should show fully dedication to our work/job instead of struggling for power and money. This all (power and money) will be left in this world. We'll take nothing with us except our good deeds. May ALLAH bring all of us to the right path.

My deepest condolences and sympathy to Mrs Woolmer and her family on this tragic loss. It is by far the most tragic day in Pakistan's cricket history. He brought Pakistan's cricket from nowhere to the top. He gave his life for us and his loyality is well proven by his untimely departure. The PCB and govt of Pakistan is responsible to completley provide financial and emotional support to his family. If possible i would like to see a benefit match happen in his memory and the entire proceeding to be delivered to his family. It is a shame for our nation and former cricketers who criticised him and Inzi, his departure proved that he was more loyal to Pakistan's cricket then any one else in the past.

I wrote a comment on Bob's blog and my last words to him were your a legend and thats exactly what he is/was and will be remembered as. I think his legacy to Pakistan is to remind everyone that you must embrace new things and look to the future. Inzamam has finally resigned from one day cricket and now Pakistan can look to build a new team, which I'm sure is what bob would have wanted. But on the other Hand I think it is scandalous Inzamam has signalled his intent to carry on in test cricket I feel as though this is an insult to Pakistani fans and more directly to what Bob would have wanted.

My heart goes out to Bob's family, friends and pakistani nation. Pakistani nation is extremely emotional people. As much as they might be angry at the team's poor performance, they are extremely sad on Bob's death. Its a very forgiving nation. My thoughts go out to Pakistan cricket team who not only have to face the onslaught of the media and nation on their disgraceful loss but also now emotionally being blamed for Bob's tragic death. But one must remember what makes a nation a great nation is to rise up to the occasion. Our cricket team played badly. It was a bad day at the office. They are still our team, our heroes. On this day of mourning, we should unite for what Bob would have wanted all of us to do; to support the team.This is sports where one has to lose. Unfortunately this time it was Pakistan who lost. Lets all unite and help the team in this very difficult time who have lost a father figure and I am sure not a single Pakistani player would have wanted this to happen. They would have loved to see off Bob on a high note. Unfortunately it did not happen. The world of cricket is certainly poorer without Bob Woolmer.Bob you'll be greatly missed by the whole cricket world in general and Pakistani nation in particulr. May your soul rest in peace( Inna Lillahe wa Inna Ilaihe Rajeoon).

This is a great loss to world cricket, and to us Pakistanis it is a shock. My Condolences to Bob's family. We, the fans, never ever doubted his committment to Pakistan cricket because we knew the man was nothing if not a professional and honest.

Respect Bob, Respect

R.I.P

BoB woolmer passed away: RIP
I am in total disbelief,still cant believe it,
and have no words to express my sorrow,my deepest condolence to his family and friends.

A great servant of the game and one of the sharpest cricketing brains the world has seen. We as Pakistanis can only thank him for what he has contributed to Pakistan cricket. He will surely be missed.

May the lord grant eternal rest to the soul in peace.

My deepest condolances to the family of Bob, Pakistan cricket has lost a father.

A SAD DAY FOR PAKISTAN CRICKET. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PCB GIVING RECOGNITION TO WOOLMER'S CONTRIBUTION AND POSSIBLY IN FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS EVEN NAME A STADIUM AFTER HIM, OR SOME OTHER CRICKET ACADEMY. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE ALL LOVED BOB.

I just wanted to say that the sentiments of the blog and the comments do make me feel a little better. Yesterday's loss to Ireland is nothing in the bigger picture; the man gave his life for Pakistan cricket. Kamran bhai is right; Bob was a man enough to take all the critism. I don't think we will ever get a coach like this. I just read Afridi's comments, he said "Bob was like a father to us" I am sure Malik and Afridi will miss him a lot. It hurts so bad that I can't even give a proper tribute to this legend. Bob, i just hope you get to see all this love of Pakistani people from up above. You will be in our hearts for ever!!!

For Bob...

An untimely death. You leave us in despair, at a time when we need you most. I cannot stop to admire your greatness and your persona. If anything we can remember you for all the great times we have had because of you. We are all grateful for the time and dedication that you invested in us. May your memory live with us always. I hope everyone remembers you for what you tried to instill in us.

So much passion, so much dedication, so much patience but a life unfulfilled and incomplete. I am completely over our loss in the world cup but i will never get over losing you, especially in this manner - no farewells and no gratitute...only grief.....

Sincere condolences to the Woolmer family, we are all sorry for taking him away from you...

Hammad

I like many cricket followers the world over didn't know Bob on a personal level; but those who did, none of them had a bad thing to say about him anywhere.

May God or Allah or whatever you want to call that Almighty being bless his soul, and my sincere condolences to those who survive him.

Heaven needed a main-eventer like you, Bob, and you will be truly missed.

RIP and leave a few passes at the gate.

I am deeply hurt and saddened by the news on Bob Woolmer. He was a good coach and this is utterly shocking. Its too much.

This is the toughest time in Pakistan's cricket history. Our players, administration and management need to dig deep and fight their out of this turmoil. It is ridiculous to blame Inzi so heavily for this world cup loss. For the past 3 years who else except him has ever performed for this country under pressure. He is a legend, and it is a grave inhustice that his entire career is being judged by 2 games. As far as I am considered he is still a hero. It is so easy to forget.

God bless Cricket in Pakistan.

Sad sad day for cricket. The cricketing fraterity has lost one of its most innovative thinkers, and most successful coaches. I was utterly shocked when i read about this. Puts cricket and life into perspective doesnt it. My deepepst and heartfelt condolences to Bob family and freinds. Rest in Peace, Bob Woolmer

Truly a great man...i am lost for words....Thanks for everything Bob...you will be in my prayers.

We will miss you....

Dear Bob..... You were a good man and you fought a good fight... we Pakistanis are proud that you decided to share a part of your life with us, and believed in us when we ourselves did not. My most sincere condolences to your family.... Rest in Peace....this nation will always remember you.

Bob Woolmer's sudden death is another faliure of Pakistani system. A system which is demanding and not rewarding can create stress up to fatal levels. No compliance and discipline shown by the players and threats from elsewhere. Bob in the end is the scapegoat.
May you rest in peace in the heavens.

This was the most devastating, crushing news.I think we are all somehow responsible for this tragedy, especially us from the sub continent.Our expectations of our cricketers, coaches and the like are just inhuman, unreal.We forget that these people on the field (and off it) are humans.And look at the price they have to pay to keep us fickle supporters happy.Do you have the same expectations in your job? Instead of blaming the players and the administration, lets first blame ourselves.Bob died for us and because of us.He couldn't handle our unreal expectations.Thanks Bob for everything you did for cricket.You were a brave man to take on the challenge of making this nation happy.You did make us happy.You have left as a true winner and left us all happy, yet sad..

A true gentleman and great scholar of the game. My earliest memories of the man date back to the days of his association with Hansie Cronje and the fearful South African team. One incident that particularly comes to my mind was the ear phone incident, where Hansie had access to Bob's instructions and ideas while on field. As expected it did not meet with much positive reaction from the cricketing fraternity. But it did go on to show the innovative ideas the man brought into the game and on a large scale the interest he had for it.
His demise will be mourned by everyone who loved and followed the game. His exit was not grand by any stretch of imagination. What it would do though, is prove a case in point because it followed an equally disastrous exit of the Pakistan cricket team from the WC 2007. It is a very rough phase for Inzamam and his team mates. Now PCB should behave very rationally which they are not really known for in the past. Because as Ponting stated there is more to the game than mere wins and losses.
May the soul of this great ambassador of the game, rest in peace.

I am speechless.......... no words to describe this horror. But a request to PCB and sub-continent fans.... will we learn anything now ...... or many more lives still needed.
God may rest his soul in peace.

Shocked at this sad news! Rest in peace Bob, whole of Pakistan will remember you forever.

A legendary Coach
It is indeed a sad day in the history of cricket. Cricket has lost a great fighter for these crazy pakistanis. This team is a rougue. Always in controversies. There was a time when i loved pakistani team for there fighting(opponents) spririt but today they have a different fighting(infighting) spirit. I hate this team, they r barbarians, thouroughly unprofessional and uneducated lot incl Inzi. I jsut hope pakistan stops playing cricket for some years atleast v can lead a normal life for few years

I am shocked. My heart goes out to his family and those near and dear to him. Bob was true blue, he really was. May your soul rest in peace, and may you find true happines where you are.

My thoughts and regards to BOB'S FAMILY and thank you for everything you did for the pakistani cricket...its very shocking to hear this tragedy and today its not about how the pakistani team played but its about what BOB GAVE TO THIS TEAM...ONCE AGAIN RESPECTS TO BOB'S FAMILY...THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING BOB, THANK YOU

Sad day, the news was a shocker....May Bob's soul rest in peace.
My heartfelt condolences to Bob's family.
I am sure the Pakistani team did not wanted to lose in this manner, but it happened and it can happen again we were all sad, but losing a wonderful person in Bob is absolutely a shock.

It is one of the saddest days in the history of CRICKET - A coach dying due to the failure of the TEAM. People the world over should realize that cricket is just a sport and losing is a part of it.The fans in the subcontinent should stop all this frenzy after a defeat.
Bob Woolmer was reputed to be a coach par excellence and is death is a great loss to the cricketing community. MAY his soul REST IN PEACE.

I 'm really very very sad,he was a fantastic coach. My condolance to Bob's family.He worked almost three years for pak team ,he could not handle the spineless performance of pak team this time around. This was a big occassion(WC),he wanted to win it for Pak but Pak team let him down. Feel sorry for his family

I am shocked at the demise of BOB and we are going to miss you. Bob has worked hard to help pakistani team to be at the top. I convey my deepest condolences to BOB family and share your
greif.

I live next dorrt to the Team Hotel, Turts me the atmosphere in the Hotel is sad and I've seen the players are really upset about what happened. Bob Woolmer took it to heart which shows how comitted a man he was for the cause of Cricket.

Although Pakistan performance was absoulutely not upto the par no matter what excuse they come up with .I don't blame any of the players .Only the board.
Mostly the trajic news of Bob realy has shaken me inside out .Now I know how this team meant to him .Every body has short comings .I am sure he made some mistakes but he did his best with the players given to him against his wishes.
Any way I do extend my deepest condolences to the Mrs & the entire family .May Allah shower his best blessings.
Now by giving his life we all should understand one thing that nobody took the defeat so seriously as he took it .He was full of passion for the betterment of Pakistan Cricket Team.I would request all the present & previous players of the Paksitan Please please,do not accuse him for any thing now .He has given his life after a such a humiliating defeat .What ever has happen has happen .We have to look forward .This worldcup is not the end of Pakistan Cricket.Lot more to come Inshallah we will bring the cup .We just have to get the things in right places.Also do not blame Inzi on this defeat don't forget his contributions of the past most of the time in dire situations.
Osman Bhai make another Blog in the honor of Bob Woolmer (GOD BLESS HIM).Love & Peace for every body.

My condolences to Bob woolmer and his family. Rest in Peace, Sir...You have dealt with difficult circumstances and did very well given the conditions.

I would like to at this point make the following remark regarding why we lost the last match...

And this can best be exemplified by what INZY said after the loss: “Obviously God was not willing, so we did not win”.

I was thinking: Are you stupid? What are you talking about? So you’re blaming god for your loss? How about being a man and saying you played like crap?

This is the type of ignorance we’re dealing with folks. His statement is fatalist and essentially implies that a 60yr ricksha-driver could be a specialist batsmen if “god wills it”.…He essentially thinks that god will bat for the Pakistan team! Imagine that...God, coming out and helping the Pakistan team because they pray 5 times a day! So basically, practice + exercise + killer instinct mean nothing if you are muslim? THIS IS WHY PAKISTAN LOST, GUYS. Our players failed because of this ridiculous idea that even without hardwork and motivation, one can achieve anything in life as long as they pray 5 times a day...

If bringing god into the realm of cricket was the only way to succeed, then even I could be open for Pakistan.

Its that simple folks...It is these basic fundamental questions that Pakistan needs to address and rectify.

Only Wasim Akram and Imran knew this…and that’s why they were the most successful of Pakistani batsmen.

A word to Inzy: Do NOT bring religion into sports. We are not fighting a war here, we're just playing a sport.

This is such a basic principle and I just do not understand why this team doesn't understand this...its so basic.

Am I the only person out there that feels this way?

A sad day for cricket. My sincere condolences to Bob Woolmer's family. He always seemed a civilized and gentle soul, clearly too much of a gentleman for the world of Pakistani cricket. When dealing with a bunch of uncivilized, ill-disciplined players who have never been exposed to any institutional order at the school, club or societal level, sometimes what's needed is a kick in the pants instead of civilized, rational arguments and normal discourse. Maybe Bob needed someone by his side to play the good cop, bad cop routine to crack the whip to bring around the more unruly players in the side while at the same time encouraging the players short on confidence. I feel he did a great job with the latter but couldn't succeed at the former due to cultural differences. The manner and timing of his passing is painful and saddens everyone associated with Pakistani cricket. The best way to honor his legacy is for the team to go out and play like champions against Zimbabwe.

How sad it is that it is only after this Great Mans death , that we really understand his passion and commitment and shock. Why did it have to happen like this?
RIP Bob.

I have not cried at any time in the last 8 years but I cried today for Bob.

I agree with brother Azhar. Pakistan must pay homage to this good man and build a stadium in his name. Pakistan's lacklustre performances can NEVER be blamed on Bob because unlike the players he ALWAYS gave 110% effort in his coaching! My heartfelt condolances go to his family and may he rest in peace InshAllah.

I am really very sad to hear the news...can't figure to anything else...condolence goes to his family..

My deepest condolences to Bob’s family; I was also stunned like many people on this blog. It is strange how, in my earlier post, I started with these three words: “Mayhem. Disaster. Death.”
It is strange how Javed A Khan from Montreal, Canada and myself have been similar in this regard; mentioning things in previous posts which are somehow linked to the tragic death of Mr Woolmer.

A praiseworthy coach helplessly stuck amidst incompetent and unworthy cricketers and administrators. These two days have been the most sorrowful in Pakistani cricket’s history. I was amazed, when watching a Pakistani channel, how some fans in Pakistan demonstrated no sympathy and offered bitter comments for Bob even after his demise. I did not like the idea of Bob coaching Pakistan, but not because of his talent or aptitude, but because of the lack of competence of Inzi & co. Unlike many others, I know that as regards on-field tactics and player selection, Bob had negligible contribution. Inzi ran the show.

Bob, you will be missed. May your soul rest in peace. Let us hope that the players can put up a good show against Zimbabwe, just to honour Bob’s spirit.

It is indeed truly shocking..one of those moments where you just feel like waking up and feeling relieved it was all a bad dream. May Allah bless his soul and give strength to his family. Credit goes to him for a lot of Pakistan's successes. Inzamam has already retired as expected. Others may follow suit. Nothing more can be said..had the Pakistani team won against Ireland, had they put on a better show, showed more application..maybe we didnt have to hear this shocking news..but that is life. People wait for years to see their team perform well in the world cup and noone else would have wanted the Pakistani team to do well than Bob himself. Putting things in perspective.."The Pakistani team itself killed it's coach...."

It was one of the shocking news in cricketing history. Bob woolmer sacrificed his life for the Pakistani team, which meant everything to him. I think Pakistani players should be blamed for this tragedy. I am still not sure whether they went to play the WORLD CUP or tennis ball backyard game. They should learn a lesson from Bangladesh. I am a Bangladeshi but my second team was always Pakistan. You guys really disappointed me and Bob Woolmer. May his soul rest in peace. My condolence to his family famiy.

[QUOTE=Saj Shah]Posted by: Saj Shah at March 18, 2007 7:56 PM[/QUOTE]Thats stupid. Now why dont we leave them alone(pak team) or we want every one of them to be dead? Thats all because of the stupid pressure, the pressure of the stupid public who cant take defeat. And want sudden changes.

I more than anyone feel at this time and very shocked and saddend by the Death of Bob Woolmer, I hope the Pakistan team can live with themselves after this? because in my eyes they are the ones behind the death. I have had made remarks towards Bob Woolmer's coaching style, but today I learnt a valuble lesson in that Pak Cricket meant more to him than the rest of the Pak Squad? Bob let his life go of his like, so as not to appear a villian and bady in the Eyes of the Pakistani Public and media as winning was everything to him??? Afterall he had nothing to Cheer about after the 2 w/c games??? I hope Inzi through some miracle of Allah get's to hear about this blog and my review, as I blame him for the death along with the rest of the failing pakistani cricket team of losers. I am really upset. No man or women should die in this manner. RIP Bob Woolmer, I am so sorry. Best Wishes to your loved family in this difficult time.

My deepest condolences to the family of Mr Bob Woolmer. He will always be remembered as a gentleman and for many contributions to cricket in general and to Pakistan Cricket in particular. You will be missed Bob.

These have been my saddest cricket days, none more so than today, sad demise of Bob and an announcement of retirement from Inzi at such a point.

As a Pakistani, I must say that a man of his dedication and love for the game, - he didn't deserve us. He didn’t deserve to pass on alone in abandonment. I am so gutted that I feel a member of my family has died. I’ve been numb and teary eyed all day, read every tribute and every praise I could find. As far as Pakistan are concerned…..
1) We have proven ourselves to be such a selfish and ungrateful nation and only when the man pays with the ultimate sacrifice do we begin to recognize his contributions.
2) His talent and professionalism was wasted on the fools in the PCB and the team.
3) His advice fell on deaf ears and dumb brains.
4) After the Oval fiasco, every coach would have quit but Woolmer, being the honorable gentleman he was stayed resolute.
As a Pakistani, I must say that a man of his dedication professionalism, and love for the game; - HE DID NOT DESERVE US. He didn’t deserve to pass on alone in such seeming abandonment. I am so gutted that I feel a member of my family has died. I’ve been numb and teary eyed all day, read every tribute and every praise I could find. And as far as Pakistan are concerned…..
1) We have proven ourselves to be such a selfish and ungrateful nation and only when the man pays with the ultimate sacrifice do we begin to recognize his contributions.
2) His talent and professionalism was wasted on the fools in the PCB and the team.
3) His advice fell on deaf ears and dumb brains.
4) After the Oval fiasco and the doping scandals every coach would have quit but Woolmer, being the honorable gentleman he was stayed resolute.
After Pakistan’s loss, I wrote a message to his blog that we here in Florida stand with you (Woolmer) and the team when it wins and even more so when it looses. Yet at the penultimate moment when we all should have supported him; just as he did when he was our coach, WE ALL FORSOOK HIM AND FLED.

We truly are a shameless bunch. Rest in peace Bob. Our prayers are with you and your family.

Service before self!! You will be remembered on these lines in the history of cricket. You will be remembered for your forthrightness. The cricket community should dedicate this world cup in Bob's memory.

Bob Woolmer's death is a shocking blow to all cricket lovers around the world. Bob actually took a highly improbable task when he decided to take the coaching job of Pakistan. If he had taken a job with any other country, his efforts and positive results would have been more visible.
May his soul rest in peace.
f

We should name "Gadaffi Stadium" as "Woolmer Statium".

First I offer my heartfelt condolences to Bob's family. May his soul rest in peace. No defeat in a game is worth a man's life. He was an honorable man.

Bob's death reminds me of the old adage "It's no use casting pearls in front of swines". He tried his best, cast pearls of wisdom in front of idiots and indisciplined ( I wouldn't use the word swine, though much tempted I am) but the uncouth and irresponsible hams who like to fancy themselves as professionals, were just not up to it. This also includes the non professional Pakistani cricket infrastructure (the perenial adhocism). At least Bob was a man of honor and he took it to heart but I wonder if the cricket team players and PCB have even one tenth of the shame that Bob felt for the idiots. If they did then the chairman and the captain would have at least resigned and appologized to the masses who pay for their hefty salaries, bonuses, travelling, match fees and most importantly country's joy and honor. This money can be better spent on developing standard of education as well as playfields in schools and colleges and develop the infrastructure.

Losing and winning is part of every game but it is the way one puts up a brave fight matters at the end of the day. If Pakistani team and management has an iota of honor and shame left in them, they should cut their perks and salaries to a modest existence level and work hard to prove that they wish to and can compensate for the lost honor and glory and bring some good news in these times of stress and gloom. They owe it just as much to Bob Woolmer.

AJ

Deepest condolances to his family. Its a shame that a guy so smart as Bob had to go down like that, its a strange world.
Bob's contribution to Pakistan's cricket was immense. He had the ability to transform talent into substance. Shoaib Malik to me will always remain Bob's legacy to Pakistan. He was the only one under who's reign, Afridi played the most consistent cricket of his career. Yousuf managed to score more, managed to throw it away less, Younis was able to resurrect his career. I hope that these take inspiration from his effort and pay back Bob with careers that he had dreamed off them.
Bob's replacement would be too tough to find, as he was both a good player and coach. I hope Pakistan team plays out of their skins in the next match against Zimbabwe, play as Bob would have hoped them to play, that may just bring some peace to his soul and solace to the mourning cricketing community.
Pakistan SALUTES you Mr. Robert Andrew Woolmer for all your efforts and putting up with all the trouble that our cricket brings.

Its great loss for cricket and Pakistan.He was emotionally committed to his duties.He wasted his energies and abilities on rubbish team.He could not bear pakistan defeat.pakistan is in great shock and his death added their grieves.

Nothing can replace the loss of life and that to be a special one who brought the revolution in world cricket by coaching South Africa and Pakistan at the end. I believe this irrecoverable loss will bring at least one commonsense to the cricket crazy south asia nations, that cricket is just a game and no matter what is it, it is not more than the life of someone who contribute a lot to this game. A deep condolense to Bob's family.

I am totally shocked. It is totally out of the blue. Just yesterday watching him in the game vs Ireland & today he is gone. It is incredible how fickle life is. There are much more important things than cricket. We fail to appreciate this.

When he was coach of S Africa, me as an Indian cricket fan used to admire the ruthless efficiency with which they played. He did a terrific job bringing them so close to the top. Given the time and the support he would have done the same for Pakistan. Alas, now it is not possible.

May his soul rest in peace & my condolences to his family.

RIP Bob. You lived, breathed, talked, walked cricket. You made this game more attractive with your undying passion and innovative methods.

May your soul rest in peace, and my condolenses to your family.

miss you....
-Prashanth Reddy

Come on guys, this is just game of cricket, not game of life and death. Bob Dies because his had come, of all the people we believers should know this better. Linking his death to Pakistani loss would be most idiotic, I am sure even if he was vacationing in Hawaii after winning the world cup he would have dies if his time had come. Dont waste your and everyone else's time by making it a big issue, He was what he was. Nothing will change. Its hypocritical on your part to pay homage to him now when you all were ready with knife for his head, had he lived you wanted you wanted his blood. Stop this non-sense.

M

Everyone including myself are shell shocked to learn of the sad demise of Pakistan Coach Bob Woolmer.

On behalf of a grateful Nation, I like to offer my condolences to Woolmer's family.

Pakistan team was eliminated from the WC by Ireland and how much it impacted on his health can not be fathomed.

Come on guys, this is just game of cricket, not game of life and death. Bob Died because his time had come, of all the people we believers should know this better. Linking his death to Pakistani loss would be most idiotic, I am sure even if he was vacationing in Hawaii after winning the world cup he would have died if his time had come. Dont waste your and everyone else's time by making it a big issue, He was what he was. Nothing will change. Its hypocritical on your part to pay homage to him now when you all were ready with knife for his head, had he lived you wanted his blood. Stop this non-sense.

M

People think March 17th was the worst day in Pakistan's cricket. I would call March 18th even worse. On this day, a true legend lost his life for the cause of our nation, a legend who was not even Pakistani could realize how the world around him has changed. Bob Woolmer is not dead, he would live eternally and his legacy would shine in Pakistan's cricket forever.

i am speechless abt the sudden and tragic death of Bob and i really want to know if any of the pakistani cricket players has any self respect or national pride or even at least some respect for the best coach they ever had. shame on u all

Bob you were an outstanding coach and an outstanding human being. Always a gentlemen, restrained and patient in the most trying of conditions. Its an amazing tragedy to lose this great ambassador of cricket and a man who personified the nobler values associated with the sport. May you rest in peace. We all mourn with your family.

ASAK to u all. Just like millions right now in this world iam very very shocked and hurt and saddened at this sudden death of the "WORLDS BEST COACH" Mr BOB WOOLMER. May Allah give his family the strength to cope with this and may he rest in peace. I have been reading a lot of comments and articles though with various people blaming the pakistan team for his death but my dear brothers and sisters please dont forget death doesnt need any big reasons to come, when it has to come it will come.Bobs stipulated time and date of death was that and he died on that date and time. The situations build accordingly. People are saying inzi is to blame i totally disagree with it cmon atleast now stop blaming people. God forbid if inzi would have died instead of bob iam sure all these people critcising inzi would have saluted inzi and the great things he did. So does one have to die for a sport in order show his/her passion for it??? Cmon people its just a game. Lets just offer condolences to bob's family and support the pakistan team in these bad times coz iam sure more than you and i they r hurt and saddened with bobs death.
Thank you.

Total and utter shock!!!!I am so saddened by his demise. No time to blame anyone now, because the whole nation knows what happened. All the prayers, and deepheart felt condolences to Bob's family. May your soul rest in Peace. In the end, THANK YOU VERY MUCH BOB for everything you gave not only to Pakistan cricket but to the overall cricketing world. You will be sadly missed by all. I hope President Musharaf will bestowed him with the highest civillian award.
You will alway be in our prayers BOB!!!

You can just imagine how much Bob cared for what he believed in. I am sure the stress of losing must have hit him.
I wish and pray for his soul and that God provides him a heavenly abode and strength to his family. Amen.

I agree he should be awarded Pakistan's highest civilian medal of honour to recogonise his services to the team.

i won't say that Bob Woolmer did a good job with the pakistanis but the way he died is awful. i'm shocked and really feel sad that a person had to undergo such a great agony. what saddens me more is that his death would soon be forgotten and teams like Pakistan/India would continue to play like lazy millionaires instead of cricket players.

RIP BOB great coach and great human for paki team but what dose inzy do today announce he gonna call it quit from odi today after he know his team coack passed away what a respect has inzy given to a great man inzy u should slap your self RESPECT a person who is your team coach and passed away today couldnt you waited a day for it?

I read the below:

"After the team's loss to Ireland, a huge crowd had gathered in front of Pakistani captain Inzamam ul-Haq’s Multan residence and chanted slogans of "Death to Woolmer, Death to Inzamam".
"

I feel shammed to be a Pakistani. I am not sure if Woolmer's passion and sacrifice will teach Pakistani cricket fans a lesson. Cricket is JUST a game.

I've got to say this news has overwhelmed me. Although i never met Bob there is a huge sense of loss. He always came across as a really nice guy and took a lot of time answering people's e-mails. The world has lost a great man and cricket has lost a great coach. At a time like this the phrase what if comes to mind......what if Pakistan had not lost, would this still have happened? Part of me feels angry at the players for causing this but to think like that is irrational.

Ultimately, i just hope Bob gets the send off he deserves and the whole of Pakistan pays its proper respects. What happened to Pakistan was not his fault and the players have to take the much of the blame for the way they played.

R.I.P. BOB, we will miss you!

I think its a shameful day for the way we in the sub-continent play our cricket. A lot has been sad about cricket being a religion here..and such crap. For all that rhetoric, we have still not acknowledged that its a game afterall. I am an Indian..and many might question my knowledge of Pakistan cricket...so let me borrow from conditions here in India. And looking at the way cricket is percieved by the common man, one almost suspects that we confuse a sense of national achievement with the success at this wonderful game. In simple terms, the death of Bob rests solely in our hands...you and I across the borders. The sheer weight we attach to winning, far exceeds the gravity of the game itself. So much of pressure !!! We are talking of humans here..whom we raise to the level of gods..just to feel good about the many failures of daily life each of us faces, day in, day out..!! And then...these very gods become the sorry victims of our wrath..for a bad day.

I'd never think of singling out Inzamam..or any other player. Ultimately..its shame on us..we the people of the subcontinent !!

How incredibly sad and what a wonderful contributer to the game. Bob Woolmer was the true internationalist - a competitor but a collaborator and bringer together of people from diverse backgrounds. If heaven needs a coach, there is a fabulous one there now.

I have only heard of sacrifices given by people for their country/family/faith/friendship etc but none so for the game of cricket. YES ! Bob Woolmer will only be that icon. I am an Indian cricket fan but I have always admired Bob's dedication to the game and his innovative approach in trying to make Pakistan a better team. His gentle smile and knowledgeable talk always inspired cricket lovers, players, fellow coaches and commentators.

I send my hearty condolences to his family and to the Pakistan cricket family. This is unbearable and I cried all morning. I am sure Pakistan cricket will be reborn like the legendary Phoenix bird from the ashes of this WC defeat. BE STRONG PAKISTAN !!!! YOU ARE NO LESS THAN ANYONE !!!

I am extremely sad and deeply offended by the events that have unfolded in Pakistan cricket. If everyone was remorseful about Pakistans ousting from the WC the sudden death of Woolmer has pained the cricketing fraternity. He was a great and dedicated coach and i must say the most tech savvy amongst all coaches. His sincerity and dedication to Pakistani cricket was doubted and BOB reciprocated with his own life. I hope his life will atleast put to rest the growing unrest in Pakistan following the teams performance. I hope people will someday look at cricket as a game that should be enjoyed as opposed to a religion and make it difficult for others. I also wish that fans of Indian cricketers refrain from burning effigies and holding demonstrations in front of players houses. It definitely puts them in poor light amongst the cricketing fraternity. For someone who understands the game and loves its nuances I think cricket must be played and watched for sheer enjoyment and excitement that it brings. And if it is going to murder people and rob us of people like BOB I think it suffices to play bilateral series in which losses are taken more sportingly than somethg as big as the WC. I am extremely sorry for BOB and cricket today and I have spent more than half the day regretting this incident.

IT WAS HIS TIME. PLEASE REFRAINE FROM BLAIMING IRELAND DEFEAT OR THE PLAYERS. WHAT IF PAKISTAN HAD WON THE GAME DOES ANYONE REALLY THINK BOB STILL WOULD BE ALIVE?? PRAY FOR HIM

ina l'lahi wa ina alaihi rajeoon.

My Condolance to BOB WOOLMER's family. A great coach perhaps the only professional in team, An honourable man who took everything from oval to jamiaca in his heart. A great loss. He will be missed by all. I hope against hope that some lesson in honour is learnt by our team & PCB board. I have no words to express my sorrow & may he Rest in peace. Good bye BOB U WILL BE GREATLY MISSED.

My condolences goes out to the Woolmer family.May the peace of GOD sustain you in this trying and sad time.may brother Bob rest in peace.

its a very sad day, not only for Pakistan Cricket but World Cricket.
May his soul rest in peace.
He'll always be remembered as a great couch and a great man.

While the whole situation is extraordinarily sad and shocking, I think it's wrong to blame the Pakistani team for Bob's grievous death. Fair enough he was under tremendous stress and disappointment, but we gota remember God has preplanned the time of departure for everyone. Its sad it had to happen like this, but to blame the already distraught team members is wrong in my opinion.
My heart goes out to Bob's family n associates..it is truly a great loss to millions of people around the world, in very many unique ways.

Bob Woolmer, A man i will remmeber for the way he coached south africa, a man that was always thinking out of the square, a man, who let the smaller nations grow, who encouraged thier developement a man for whome I woud declare was one of the crickets greatest coaches and ambasadors of the game, his death will leave a gap in the cicket community that nobody will ever fill. Its not a Pakistani loss but a world loss.

To the Woolmer family, the deepest sympathies of the cricket world will folow you. May God be with you uring this time

We sub continental teams lose to these minnows not because we lack calibre, but because the expectations of our people back home creates the kind of stress one cannot imagine. I have regularly seen big teams losing to unknown African nations in the soccer world cup, but one doesn't go around burning their houses down! I am Indian, but I have always had a lot of respect for Inzi too, he's a thoroughly decent person, and this loss of Bob Woolmer has just left me stunned. He handled so many tragidies with the South African team in the last few World Cups, but this just shows how much he wanted Pakistan to win. RIP Bob!

Saddened by this tragic news. God Bless your soul Bob. My condolences to the family and freidns. Bob tried to modernize the game in Pakistan and introduced new angle. Inzi and his team played really bad and that was it! Can you rebuke Mohammad Yousuf for playing such rbbish shots after what he did in the eyar 2006!
We just need much better green top pitches in Pakistan where we can develop batting skills against genuine fast and swing bowling. We have the streets smart cricketers and to ask of them to continue with best performance, seems like now, is not worthe (Exception was Javed Miandad, as Imran Puts it Gary Sobers was God Gifted, so was Javed). I tink the PCB need to revisit the development of cricket and make sure we have SPORTING FAST AND SEAM WICKETS and cricketers need to move away from just playing street smart at all times.
Kamran, I will not feel too bad if we wrote something as we all did and saw the truth in it. But failure in a game is not the end of the world and definitely not worth losing one's life and property (Mobs in subcontinent going crazy, Dhoni's home being destroyed). We have illiterate people in our country who would take a real drastic approach. You can rebuke by writing, speaking but in NO WAY you can damage one's life by burning and throwing stones over a sport. Everyone gets carried way and some comments tell that we are all guilty of that but it should be left at this and not taken to the next level.
Once again just to recap the team on paper was awesome off what was available. EVERY batsmen failed and that was it. There was nothing Inzi or Bob could have done to make everyone bat better.

May Bob Woolmer rest in peace. He did great things for cricket, my condolences to his family and close friends.

Its Ironic all of us yesterday were complaining about him and now we are all praising him. He was a true gentlemen and a great Coach. Its sad that Pak cricketers never listened to him. He will be missed.

I think you fail to put Bob Woolmer's life and contribution into the right perspective. We've lost one of the greats.

I have to say, I am shell shocked to see the "Great Bob" leave this world. We have lost a great visionary, innovator and we can come up with many words. I think Kamrans' comments have always been constructive and professional. Nothing was ever personal. I hope the players look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves what have they achieved?

I Hope all the Fans back in Pakistan, India, SriLanka and Bangladesh should realise as S.N.Iyer pointed out "cricket" is just a sport. This is really a saddest day for all the crickets lovers.

May Bob's soul rest in Peace.

My heartiest condolences to Bob's Family.

Today was a very tragic day for cricket lovers. Today the most beautiful game lost its biggest fan. Bob lived his life for cricket, and unfortunately gave his life away in its name too. What a sad, sad day. All my condolances to everybody who knew Bob Woolmer and all those that love the game of cricket. May the legend's soul rest in peace. Thank you Bob, for your contribution to the game.

It is a sad sad day ...
Bob R.I.P

Rest in peace Bob Woolmer. You gave your life for our country.
As a society we pakistanis should be ashamed of ourselves because our team reflects our society.

Why do I feel there is some foul play at hand here?

I'd like to see the brave soul who fills Woolmers shoes now.

RIP Bob. It never should've ended this way.

Kamran,
I would like to request you to reprint my following response to your Blog “Shamed by the shamrock: an open letter”. Obviously, you wrote this piece before you wrote “The tragedy of Bob Woolmer”. And I wrote my response to you before I came to know about the untimely and tragic death of my beloved personality and coach of an UNTHANKFUL PRESENT, PAST PAKISTANI CRICKETERS AND MOST OF THE PAKISTANI NATION.
I would like to express my deepest sorrow and condolences to Mr. Robert Andrew Woolmer,s widow and children. I was so happy and could not believe when Mr. Woolmer accepted to coach Pakistan Cricket team. I now truly am sorry and sad that why he accepted such a DEADLY offer.

Posted by: Abdul Waheed - USA at March 18, 2007 2:22 PM
“Kamran, after following the Pakistan Cricket for more or less as long as you have nothing surprises me anymore. In fact, among my friends, who have all been Cricket crazy we used to say the only team that can do something unthinkable is Pakistan cricket team. They have proved us right over and over and most of the time, in a disastrous way. From the beating at the hands of Roberts and Murray for the last wicket 60 odd runs to loosing against Bangladesh during 1999 world cup and now to this new but nothing really new depth of shame we, including you have witnessed all. I am sure there will be some among our cricket controlling body or the players who will come up with the excuse look, India also lost to Bangladesh. Yes, they did but, it has nothing to do with Pakistan team’s shameful surrenders in above mentioned and countless other incidents. Our beloved national heroes have surrendered and lost to bring DEFEAT from the jaws of VICTORY so many times ……. That….. That…….it is useless to mention and count. Alas…..either way this latest loss still hurts BIG TIME.
Right after Pakistan’s World Cup Final loss to Australia in 1999, I was of the view that we need a High Class foreign coach. Why? For many reasons importantly, because the professionalism of foreign coaches and due to prejudice and baggage that a local coach brings to Pakistan team which in turn brings negative rivalry and jealousy among cricketers, coach and the fans.
In this blog you have suggested among many other things that Inzamam and Woolmer must go. It was going to be an end for Inzamam one way or the other as he has had his cricket career and now he can concentrate on his Road To Raiwind with all his Bearded followers in the Team (though I wonder, how many will support beard once Inzamam leaves). It would be unfair and unjust not to praise Inzamam’s great contribution as a batsman to Pakistan Cricket.
I was of the view and had mentioned to my cricket following friends many times that, Woolmer should leave Pakistan team after this World Cup as well but for the different reasons as put forth by you. Kamran and all the critics of Woolmer please go and look back when and under what circumstances Woolmer took over and also Pakistan’s ranking during his time in Test and ODI both. I have a lot of respect for Woolmer and could not believe when he accepted the offer to coach the so fragmented Pakistan team as he had once before rejected. For the respect of this man I wanted him to leave before every failure will be blamed on him. As I believe, no one can fix Pakistan team in a way that it becomes anywhere close to Australia or any other true professional outfit. I have motioned this to my friends many times and now I would tell this to all Woolmer’s critics. If Pakistan hired a local coach to replace Woolmer, compare his performance after same period (if he will be lucky to carry that long) the ranking of Pakistan team will be much lower in both format of the game provided if 20 – 20 does not become even bigger attraction. If it does, make it all three categories Pakistan will be among the bottom half most of the time. Why I say this, Because of the hate to Pakistan team? No! Because, I have followed our team days and nights passionately and have foolishly wished the best over and over only to be let down.
In the end I would like to say only this, Leaders, Sportsmen, Politicians and the followers are a mere reflection to what the majority of the Nation stands for. Therefore, Woolmer could only do so much. And I think he has done remarkably well what was given to him. Pakistan needs a major shake up at every level that affects human life. Only than we will see true improvement in CRICKET or else there will be only patch works on display like it has been since the inception of Pakistan. “

bob woolmer was such a genuinely nice guy and i just feel really sad and felt i had 2 post this..rest in peace bob.. all my feelings are with his family...and as for the other posts...pakistanis never seem 2 appreciate ppl until they've gone...now that inzamam's retired as well, ppl may appreciate what hes brought to our team..and finally naseem ashraf is a corrupt disgrace of a person..and its because of ppl like him that pakistan is generally in a mess

I just pray for all those left behind that the verdict in this tragedy will be death by natural causes. Even if it is I feel sure the events of the previous week must have played some part in it. At absolute rock-bottom, there's only one way now that Pakistan cricket can go. I hope the powers that be in Pakistan cricket will learn from this and a leader of the calibre of a Frank Worrell will emerge that will use this tragedy in a constructive way.

I salute Bob Woolmer and what he has done for cricket.....

i opened cricinfo to see how badly netherlands have lost but the first news i saw was of bob woolmer's death....it is really sad ....i hope the pakis realise what bob woolmer has done for their team.....he gave his life away for them.....i am an indian and was hoping for an india pakistan final but the pakis have suffered too much in the recent time......it has been shock over shock....this world cup is going to remembered for a long time but for a sad reason.....

I was terribly shocked by the sudden demise of a great cricketer and a wonderful coach. I started to admire the Pakistan's team as my favourite one ever since he took his job as a coach. It is an open secret that the cricketing world has lost a heroic personality who dedicated his life for cricket.I express my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family and pray that his soul may rest in peace in heaven.

is it what you call true patriatism or the giving every thing from the bottom of the heart?

why inzi didnt do this? may be the team pakistan... did they played with the bookey. if so they are the one killed the great man.

i take this space to send my deepest condolances to a great man, and he did show his passion for cricket and it really showed and sadened every cititizen in the world. my deepest sympathy to his family and friends too. may he rest in peace.

Yet again speechless…………

A tragic day indeed, compounded by yet another irreversible loss of Bob.

May Allah Bless his Soul. Amin !

A Great Man Of Cricketing World.
My condolences to Mrs.Woolmer and the rest of the family. We all join in consoling you in your painful hour of deepest sorrow. I also pray to God Almighty to give you the strength to bear this irreparable loss with courage & fortitude & to grant eternal peace to the departed soul.

MAY GOD BLESS HIS SOUL AND BRING PEACE TO HIS FAMILY AND MAY GOD HELP THEM FIND THE STRENGTH TO FORGIVE AND CARRY ON , I AM VERY SADDEND THAT BOBS LOVE FOR HIS PASSION CAUSED HIM TO LOSE HIS LIFE,THIS CLEARLY WITHOUT A DOUBT SHOWS HE AS A NON MUSLIM A NON PAKISTANI WANTED THE TEAM TO WIN MORE THAN ANYTHING AND MANY STILL CONSIDERED HIM AN OUTSIDER SHAME ON THEM I DOUBT THAT ANY PAKISTANI WOULD HAVE STOOD BY THIS BUNCH OF STUPID UNEDUCATED UNDISCIPLENED UNGRATEFUL PEOPLE SPECIALLY AFTER THE OVAL INCIDENT THE SHOAIB AKHTAR SLAP INCIDENT THE DOPING THE CONSTANT MANAGEMENT CHANGE THE BICKERING BACKSTABBING IN FIGHTING THAT IS CONSTANT IN PAKISTANI CRICKET IT WOULD HAVE BEEN SO EASY FOR HIM TO SAY NO THANKS AND WALK AWAY BUT HE SHOWED HE WAS MORE MAN THAN MANY MANY OF US, WE WOULD HAVE WALKED AWAY A LONG TIME AGO
WE AS MUSLIMS MUST BE EXTREMLY ASHAMED I AM VERY MUCH SO ,A GOOD MUSLIM MUST LEAD BY ACTIONS LIKE HUMILTY GRATEFULNESS COMPASSION BROTHERHOOD RESPECT FOR ELDERS TEACHERS (COACH)NOT BY KEEPING A STUPID BEARD AND ACTING TO BE PIOUS ALL THIS DOES NOT MATTER, GOD DOES NOT CARE FOR THE SIZE OF THE BEARD HE LOVES THE COMPASSION IN YOUR HEART THE HUMILTY OF YOUR ACTIONSAND WORDS THE GREATFULNESS IN YOUR ACTIONS. MAY THIS TRAGIC INCIDENT HELP THESE BEARDED FOOLS REALISE THE DEDICATION PASSION AND LOVE THAT BOB HAD FOR THE GAME AND FOR THEM , I HOPE THE WHOLE CRICKET LOVING PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN REALISE THAT GOD LOVES PIETY IN THOUGHTS WORDS AND DEEDS HUMBELNESS AND HUMILTY AND RESPECT PEACE AND LOVE TOWARDS ALL NOT RELIGIOUS FERVOR . I THINK THIS GREAT MAN SHOULD BE HOUNERED IN PAKISTAN WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN MUST MAKE A PERSONAL VOW NEVER TO LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR SOULS FOR THE SAKE OF THEIR COUNTRYS SOUL FOR THE SOUL OF ISLAM
PLEASE KEEP THE MAN IN YOR PRAYERS AND PRAY SALWAT FOR HIS SOUL AND HIS FAMILIES PEACE
WE HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE GOD WILLING WE WILL AND WE MUST ANYTHING LESS THAN THIS IS NOT EXCEPTABLE OF GOOD BELIVERS

Bob Woolmer laid down his life in the line of duty! He should be awarded with Pakistan's highest civilian award. The PCB should name its cricketing academy after him and he should get a state funeral. He was no different than a soldier laying down his life for the cause of Pakistan cricket.The Pakistan cricket team should either cancel its match against Zimbabwe(which may not be easy considering the stakes of the other teams)to attend Bob's last rites, or donate their entire match fee to Bob's family. This may be a small tribute to his selflessness and service to the cause of Pakistan cricket. He was a great coach, who brought a major change in Pakistan's cricketing understanding and to some degree attitudes, but being human was unable to surmount the odds stacked against him by the "system" of nepotism, cronyism and mediocrity that has been gradually gaining control over the last few decades in the country as a whole. His committment to Pakistan cricket and his selfrespecting and dignified nature are shining examples for people to emulate.
As far as Pakistan cricket is concerned, it will continue to have its Inzamams and Naseem Ashrafs as long as the people of Pakistan don't rise to put their "entire house" in order, and usher in a major change where honesty, hard work and merit is rewarded. It is not enough to have "raw talent". Talent is God's gift that needs to be trained in a properly structured system - something this country does not possess.
On behalf of millions of Pakistanis - farewell Bob, we will never forget you or what we owe you! May your soul rest in peace and may your family be able to garner enough strength to bear this collossal loss.

Rest In Peace BOB... You were a Great Guy to say the least ...prayers and condolense with this family.

Pakistan owe Bob Woolmer Big time.

The devasting circumstances leading into the worldcup and continued lapses by our team(the playing eleven and so called the professional administrators)has lead him to be under extreme pressure followed by stress.

I will consider Bob Woolmer among all the martyrs who lead Pakistan to a specific and great goal likewise he should be awarded with the highest civilian award or building of a stadium as our poor team could not live upto his standars and expectations and left him reeling.

My deepest condolances to the family of Bob, World cricket has lost a father.

Bob Woolmer wore his heart in his sleeve, and it showed through. After Bob Simpson with Australia in 1987, Woolmer redifined the role of coach, and introduced scientific coaching to the world. May his soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to his family.

This is soooooo sad. I am totally shocked. My condolence to Bob's family.

The man who was the coach of the most troubled team paid a heavy price. Those responsible to make him under tremendous stress must be dealt according to the law. There must be a case registered against Naseem Ashraf and Wasim Bari under scetion 302 and 303. These two men are DIRECTLY rsponsible for Bob's death.

Heartfelt condolences to the Woolmer family.
While the shock of our defeat to Ireland we can get over, this is a loss we can not.
I am sure all Pakistani cricket fans feel a huge hole in their hearts for this gentleman coach who gave his all for the cause of cricket in our country.
Our humble thanks to you Bob for all you did, we are very very grateful. Bless you good friend, we will not forget you!

My condolences to Bob's family. May God rest his soul in peace.

Rest In Peace BOB... You were a Great Guy to say the least ...prayers and condolense with this family.

Coach died due to team's failure but team and its management remained totally unaffected. They will NEVER learn any lessons.

This is only possible in ISLAMIC Republic of Pakistan.

I am deeply saddened by the sad and untimely demise of Bob Woolmer. He contributed tremendously to Pakistan Cricket.

Bob Woolmer was a very decent man and I can not believe that he is gone.
Pakistan must recognize Bob Woolmer for his outstanding efforts.

I feel sorry for tragic death of Bob. I offer my deepest sympathy to Bob's family. I think that Bob took it seriously.
Thanjs

A great loss to all of us ... have certainly dulled the WC

I am extremely saddened at this untimely demise of my hero Bob Woolmer. I loved the way he said on TV that Salman butt is like his son. Woolmer was such a calming father figure. He was a cricket university. No words are enough to express how sad a day it was for me. BOB, rest in peace. All true Pakistani cricket lovers love you for what you were and what you did. I salute your courage to take up the the impossible job of taming the un-civilzed lot that are the Pakistani team. My apologies they let you down.....but you will remain our hero.forever. He certainly deserves the highest civillian award in Pakistan. Thats the least we can do for him.

What a sad day, my condolence to bob's wife and kids. I hope he is remembered as a good coach and a great person, especially in Pakistan.
Now coming to the world cup, my sincere advise to Inzamam and his buddies is to go and join MMA, and forget about cricket, because that is all these guys can do, I am really surprised and baffled to read his statement that he only wants to retire from one day cricket, is he on drugs, this guy is only suitable for MMA or sweet shop.
The whole team with the management should be fired and new young team should be picked and make sure to keep Saeed Anwar and his buddies away from them.

It iz a very big lose for Pakistan and da Pakistani Team. We already knew pakistan was not gonna win da world becuase of wat dey did tu asif and akhtar and our two other main players..Razzak n Afridi...All pakistan knowz iz Money money and money nothing more dey take money n lose all dere games n now da whole pakistan was already soo upset n now even more for wat we heard about Bob he was a veryyy good n a very respectfull coach for da pakistaniz and we will NEVER forget u bob u were da best coach any team could EVER get..Da whole Pakistan iz wid your family n will help dem keep up cuz Bob juz showed us da he waz actully trying for pakistan tu win but wat can Bob do alone when all da other pakistaniz are sold...the whole pakistan should do wat india does tu dere playerz when dey lose we should beat da hell outta all our playerz n not let them make da mistake dey did ever again...Bob Wolmer Zindabad
Pakistani Team Sukzz
we all love u bob n im sure diz iz not only frm me iz frm da whole pakistan
we are gonna miss u
u never know wat u have till itz gone
n we now know dat we had a GREAT coach n could never get one like him
shame on da pakistan cricket team!

Pakitan has lost such a wonderful coach. I am not sure who will replace him. But he was great asset to world cricket. He guided whole pakistani team and captain also. Less politics in team in his time and he made the whole team united.

I am speechless, it is a great loss, a great professional coach gave his life for unprofessional players. My sincere sypmathies with his family, I can,t stop crying.

Very sad for Bob's family and pakistan cricket.

Awsome man. My heartfelt condolences to his family and a belated THANK YOU to a very good man.
All of Pakistan is in shock and will forever pray for his soul.

Its nothing less than hilarious that the same people who were commenting in his blog entries to retire and give back the money that PCB had paid him, are now treating him as a martyr who died for Pakistan cricket.

You are all a bunch of hypocrites.

RIP, Mr Woolmer. You will be missed.

This is a sad occasion for the cricketing world, Pakistani cricket and for Mr Woolmer's family. But it is not kind or accurate to blame this on the Pakistani team or the system. Pakistan must turn out for the Zimbabwe game and play their best to honor Mr Woolmer.

What to say? Just last night I was thigking of writing to Bob and tell him that we still love him and will neevr forget how much he has done for Pakistan Cricket. But he didn't even give me the chance to thanks him for one last time. I am speechles.

I was not fortunate enough to meet or e-mail Bob Woolmer, but with everything I have seen and read from Bob and of Bob, he was a good man. He was dedicated and passionate about his job, and compassionate for his charges. I'm not related to him but I feel grief and sorrow at his passing. This is a very sad day. At this point, I feel that his leaving us is like a knife through the heart of Pakistan cricket. My deep condolences go to the Woolmer family.

What an evening to go to bed with and what a day to open your eyes to. I am really sorry to hear about Mr Woolmer's death. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to his family. He gave his life in the line of duty!! I must say it was very unfortunate that pakistan cricket didnt let him give them the best, just because of some oxy morongs in the cricket board and the captain. Finally he is obliged to offer his resignation from ODIs. If he had thought about it after his return from South Africa or his father have has given him this opinion things must be alot better. Oh well you can not change the past but you sure can learn from it. I dont know what is going to happen. Nation must demand resignation from PCB Chairman and tell him to stop BSing with us as well as the Chief of selection commettie. Saleem Altaf should put a duck tape on his mouth and sign his resignation letter and honor Bob Woolmer's soul. What a lose for cricket. Very sad.

RIP Bob
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Woolmer & Family ;
Bob did a fantastic job in the environment of Pakistan cricket ; but it got the better of him mentally when you consider that religon / politics and esp " Who you are related to or who you know " that matters.
Only when this changes will the Legacy of Bob Woolmer and his vision for Pakistan cricket be realised .
Where ever you are now Bob ; take pleasure in the fact that you did good for cricket esp in Pakistan .
Julian Highfield
Sydney Australia

I wish to extend my deepest condolences to Bob's family at this difficult time. What he has achieved for Pakistan cricket is incredible. I only hope that the team can reward his dedication by realising there full potential. Bob always thought Pakistan could achieve the same success Australia are enjoying by working better as a team. What better way to remember him by than to prove him right. God rest you're soul Bob. You truly will be missed.

Mr. Bob Woolmer you will be missed by the those who knew you and those who loved cricket alike. Thanks for all what you did for cricket. May God grant strength to you family during this tough time and may your soul Rest In Peace.

I can not find words to describe the lose Bob Woolmer.
I will never forget his soft spoken words and a soft and kind face.
This is a sad day for the world of cricket and Pakistan cricket in particular.
May his soul rest in peace. My heart felt condolence to his family.
You gave us your life. I hope we can honor you.

My prayers are with Bob and his family. This is just too much to absorb.

Farhan
California

I deepest sympathies to Bob's family and the Pakistani team - I suppose Imran Khan will be happy now - Bob is dead and Inzi will only play test cricket - Khan Bhai it is better to lose fairly and even die rather than cheat like you did when you used a bottle top to scruff up the ball and asist you to get wickets -

Truly the passing of a great man, who wanted to do the very best with what he had.and when he had the wealth of Pakistan cricket, he did exceptionally well.And when he didn't, the team still had backbone, something you can see in the series in India, it didn't just keel over and die on its own.That is Bob's legacy, along with his smile at everything that the world would throw his way.
I thought he was the best coach Pakistan ever had, and following in his boots will be very very hard.
Hopefully his legacy will endure, my most heartfelt wishes to his family and close family members.

Another sad day for Pakistan cricket and the fans. The greatest of all coaches gave his life to Pakistan. I feel like saluting Bob. I wish Pakistani Team could give him better. He worked hard for Pakistan. I must say that he was the best coach pakistan ever had and most likely will ever get. He dealt with the arrogant pakistani players (You know which ones I am talking about).
My deepest of condolences to Wolmers family. We (pakistani fans) appreciate all the hard work done by Bob to make pakistan a better team. May his soul rest in Peace.

We have been hit with the strongest wave of grief today. Pakistan is in debt to Bob's Services and an apology. In the past we have all witnessed some really rude behaviour inflicted on the mute coach. He was a humble human, who had a vision for the a team with immense talents. I am sure we all realized it now...I hope its not too late!

Thank You Friend, Thank You Bob.

Rest In Peace Bob Woolmer!

We have to put life in perspective that losing and winning is not everything. Sometime you lose but still on top of the world. Bob you are a winner and always be remembered as one of the finest ever there was in Pakistani cricket coaching. You lost a WC but you won all of our hearths. God bless you and you family.

RIP Bob.

My condolences to Mrs Woolmer and the rest of the family.

just watch how bobs biggest enemies line up to offer condolences. There was this character who posed as a sports journalist for "jang news". All this guy could do was have a dig at WOOLMER just for the sake of it. I hope it was the PCB higher ups who had heart attacks for not providing the facilities and the system required to keep producing talent. BOB was just one man with no power, its a great loss.

VERY SAD
It is like a mother who takes care of her children until one day those CHILDREN OF CORN kill their own mother. SAD.
YOUNAS, YOUSAF, KAMRAN, INZIMAM, SHAME ON YOU.
Someone, please change the channel for ever. I do not want to hear these names again ever.

It is indeed a moment of great sorrow for entire cricket world in general and Pakistan cricket in particular. Whether it is the aftermath of the loss or natural course, it highlights the integrity, self respect and character of Bob Woolmer. A man often criticised by former players for letting Pakistan cricket down; he was simply criticised for jealousy. A man who took south africa to the top. Tried his very best with the uncommitted characters of Pakistan cricket. A highly professional man was put amongst the highly non-professionals. He has definitely given his life in honour for the cause of cricket. I really feel sorry for Bob Woolmer and inzamamuHaq. THEY DESERVED A BETTER END.

Bob was a great coach. He was far better than what Pakistan deserved. He survived pressure, politics and Pakistani style of running the cricket board but could not take the terrible loss to Ireland. He gave his life for cricket...Pakistan cricket indeed. When he was hired, I always thought that he will trun the team around, and he would have had it not been for politics and the lawless way Pakistan cricket board is run. I blame the administrators more than players for the tragic end of their world cup and hence Bob's life.

I hope the administrators do not bad mouth him and blame him for their failures.

RIP Bob. I will light a candle for you tonight.

Condolences to Bob Woolmer's family. I hope his death is a reminder to all the crazy protesters in Pakistan and India that at the end of the day, it's just a game, and squad members do not deserve to be terrorized in this fashion for merely doing their best.

It has often been warned that the non-stop cricketing schedule is bound to have effects on players. We had started seeing the effects slightly - players going out of form, Marcus Trescothick's repeated breakdowns etc. and now a coach has paid with his life.

In many ways, my fascination with cricket arises from its similarity to life. The casino-style balances of probabilities, however unpalatable, remains an accurate reflection of life - just as a bowler may not be rewarded for untiring efforts, or as a batsmen may be dismissed before he/(she) can prove himself/(herself) - in life, we do not always receive just rewards for our efforts. We can only keep trying; trying to adjust the odds in our favour and then hoping for the best.

As a mirror of life, cricket has once again come through. This World Cup and cricket as a whole is a reflection of the world today - a mad rat race, intensely competitive, people desperate to get ahead of others - a world where despite all our technology and genius, our humanity is slowly being destroyed.

In this time of sadness, one can only hope that we will learn from this tragedy and do better; one can only hope that Bob Woolmer's death will not be in vain.

I think that the Pakistani team can pay a tribute to Bob by making the upcoming game a one to be remembered by all. Even then i guess Bob Woolmer's gap cannot be filled. Rest in Peace Bob, We all Love you.

MR WOOLMER MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE, MAY GOD GIVE YOUR FAMILY THE STRENTGH PATIENCE AND PEACE TO OVERCOME THIS TRADEGY YOU ARE TO PAKISTANI CRICKET WHAT LAWRENCE WAS TO THE PAGAN ARABS SOMEONE WHO CARED FOR THEM DEARLY
MAY THE GOOD LORD REST YOU IN PEACE

this one of the really sad days in cricket history.I heard the news on tv rite away when mr.woolmer died I just cant believe it even though, I barely watch the team I had gotten so attached to mr woolmers personality and his ideas,God bless Mr woolmer RiP.You did a tremendous job for our nation. I will pray for u for sure a greeat great man.

May Allah give sabar to Bob's family and his soul rest in peace. This just shows what an honest man he was and how sincere he was with his job. Pakistan cricket will never be the same after March 17 and 18 2007.

He has given 100% to the team but it is the team who make him down. He must leave the team earlier due to his health when he was faced with lot criticism. Because present Pakistan is not will to learned.

a man more sinned against than sinning. He was the type with whom the players could actually warm up to unlike a dictatorain coaach like say Buchanan.

May his soul rest in peace.

Absolutely, he wasted his life on a good for nothing, indisciplined, unprofessional and lazy group of individuals. They couldn't help Bob help themselves. I predict utter gloom for this Pakistani team for at least a decade. Also, they can now listen to all the "Urdu" they can from fans back home.

May the soul of our dear departed rest in peace. Khuda Hafiz Bob.

Bob Woolmer was a gentleman and a great lost to cricket. He was badly treated by Pakistan. some of the ex-players e.g. Javed Miandad was always sniping at Woolmer. Miandad has done more harm to Pakistan's cricket than any good.

Woolmer was too good a man to be coaching sleazy corrupt team like Pakistan. God bless Woolmer.

Rest in Peace Bob, We all Love you. we know its not ur fault its pak's cricket system and infrastructure fault. you tried ur best to change pak's poor cricket system. u will live always in my heart. no body can even think how much i am upset and sad on ur death. you were the one of the best person in this world and u will be live here in our hearts all life.
Bob I salutes you.

What a Tragedy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I truly salute the greatness and dignity of Bob Woolmer, Super Coach.
He is not even a Pakistani and Pakistan team's exit from world cup effected him so much that he lost his life, I feel so sorry that a person gave away his life for Pakistan Cricket. His sad death tells us how much Pakistan cricket meant to him, it wasn't the case of money , it was his true passion and devotion but it sadly led him to death.
At this sad stage , Inzimam's retirement seems funny and untimely to me, what is he trying to prove now?
anyways my condolence to Bob's family and friends and May his soul rest in peace!
Thanks Bob, for everything you have done for Pakistan!

Bob Woolmer was fighting an impossible battle--against systemic pettiness, graft, incompetence, and misbegotten hubris. It was just not cricket. I held the man and his commitment in the highest regard when he was alive. His death, in some strange way, has reignited a small part of his impossible dream for Pakistan's cricket with the flame of renewal. And this has only raised him further in the estimation of the world. Are there any left in the country he tried to serve so selflessly to be shamed into self-respect, decency, and committed pursuit of excellence? If so, now is the time to step forward. Thus do ordinary people become capable of performing extraordinary deeds.

Meanwhile, my deepest condolences to Bob Woolmer's family. Not known to them or Bob personally, I share in their grief and loss at this time. But I would also like to honor and cherish the memory of the extraordinary gifts that Bob brought to the world with him some of which were received and appreciated by a large number of people who were neither a part of his circle of family, friends, and acquaintences nor known to him in any capacity whatsoever.

Thank you, Bob. Rest in peace.

Woolmer was a man on honor. He preferred death over living in disgrace... May his sould rests in peace.
And what about you Inzi ? whats your plan ???

We Pakistanis feel that we have lost one of our own and one of the most beloved cricket personalities of Pakistan.

Although the biggest award one can get is to receive people's love and he certainly has love of all Pakistanis, I still hope that govt. of Pak award him some civilian honor along with compensation to his family.

May God rest his soul in peace.

Rest in Peace Bob, We all Love you. we know its not ur fault its pak's cricket system and infrastructure fault. you tried ur best to change pak's poor cricket system. u will live always in my heart. no body can even think how much i am upset and sad on ur death. you were the one of the best person in this world and u will be live here in our hearts all life.
Bob I salutes you.

Even though I am a young child, I still admired Bob for all that he has done for the Pakistan Cricket Team. I SALUTE YOU!

Dear Kamran:

The tragic death of Bob Woolmer came at a sad turn in the history of Pakistan Cricket. Bob would be remembered as an innovative coach who developed altogether a different approach.

As you have mentioned, Bob perhaps could not implement his strategy to the full extent with the abrupt changes in PCB management.

He was a dedicated person towards the cause of cricket in every way and was respected as such. He got mired in the inner rifts and affairs of the PCB unjustly. Towards the end, he gave the sacrifice of his life.

The Pakistan cricket needs to pay tribute of the highest order to Bob Woolmer and PCB should recognize this by laying a suitable memoir at the appropriate venue in the country as a token of remembrance for Bob.

God bless you, Bob. May you rest in peace. Our prayers remain with the family.

RIP Bob! It is the saddest moments of not only Pakistani Cricket, but also of Cricket as a sport. I am indeed very sad and heartbroken at the news of his unexpected demise. As far as the game against Ireland goes, I understand it is hard to lose against Ireland. Seems like Pakistani team is a very good assisstant in writing cricket record books. I think the team has great potential and that is how Pakistani team has always been - sheer talent and lack of professionalism.

What pisses me off is the political involvement in PCB. The reasons for poor performances are personal politics and the preposterous hiearchy in PCB. I do understand that Inzi can be blamed and everyone has issues, and none of us are perfect. But if uneducated dumb army generals and political connections are made heads of cricket organizations, I think none of the teams can perform.

We will miss you Bob, you did a lot of great things to these uneducated talented cricketers. May you rest in peace, my condolences are with the Woolmer family in this difficult time.

We will miss you BOb. God bless your soul. My deepest condolences to Woolmer family. The world has lost a great coach and a great man.

My Deepest Regards for Bob and His family. I agree with some of the readers that he took responsiblity for our defeat as a team and as a nation. Pakistan Cricket meant more than anything to hime. In my point of view it was our team who is responsible for his sudden Death. God bless his soul!.

Regards

Tariq

Rest in Peace Bob, We all Love you. we know its not ur fault its pak's cricket system and infrastructure's fault. you tried ur best to change pak's poor cricket system. u will be live always in my heart. no body can even think how much i am upset and sad on ur death. you were the one of the best person in this world for cricket and u will be live here in our hearts all life.
Bob you have given so much to cricket and even u gave ur life. Bob I salutes you.

Dear BOB,
I never cried in my life on deaths. I cried only two time: When my late father passed away and then on your death. Please forgive Pakistani nation. They are very emotional peopole. One win against India could have made you hero again. God bless.

You can take a horse to the water but cannot convince him to drink. Bob was the perfect shephard but could not tend his unruly and poorly diciplined flock. The present bunch of cricketers are anything but "sportsmen" each marching to a tune of a different drummer. Just rememder that there is only one winner but you should not be a loser if you do not win. Bob tried to instill this professional behaviour in the team.That to me will be his legacy. Cricket in India and Pakistan is like soccer in Brazil. Somebody has to pay for failure. Lets treat a sport as a sport and no more and no less.

It is a great loss to cricket world. His services ,his passion and his devoutness to the cause of cricket will always be remembered. A true analyst who revolutionlized the game and have given a new diemension to it. We will miss you for long.

Bob you have proved every body wrong idiots like imran khan javed miandad sarfaraz nawaz questioned your commitment to Pakistan cricket, the latest rubbish from them was that you are bidding for english and have no interest in Pakistan cricket. well bob we didnt deserve to have services of a gentleman like you. i am intears while i am writing this and would appeal everybody to calm down a man has lost his precious life what else do we want.

SHAME ON THOSE WHO CRITICISED BOB.

Bob Woolmer, the cricketing world salutes you. It is a very sad day for cricket. Cricket has lost one of its biggest "fans". By saying this, I mean, he was a man who thought cricket 24/7. He is the most innovative thinker this game has ever had. And we have to salute him for what he has left behind. He took a young S.African team, and with Hansie and made them a formidable outfit. What he has given to the game is immense. Im sure he would have loved to see a team he coached lift the world cup. And I hope the S.Africans do it this time. A lot of the current crop of S.African players have played under him. It would be more than fitting to see them lift the cup.

Now, coming back to the reactions of fans, it is undeniable that they are devastated to see Pakistan out this early. Now, to burn effigies, calling for arrests, and wanting death for sports people is beyond ridiculous. If you are an ardent follower of the sport, you will accept defeat gracefully. I am a hardcore supporter of Indian cricket. We lost to Bangladesh yesterday and I was deeply shocked. But, I watched the way Bangladesh played their cricket and they were good on their day. That is about it. They played to win and win did they. I know Ireland and Bangladesh are not the same. But still, it is cricket and one day cricket in that. It is close to impossible to come up with a prediction with the way cricket is being played today. Kudos to Ireland. They were fantastic. Its a game after all guys. Leave it at that. Patriotism and passion are different things. Not this! They are human beings too and they need to know that their families are alright to be mentally fit and play well. Back your country. You are too weak if you resign to such things after your country's loss.

Also, I read Eric's comment. I totally concur with what he is saying. Its not the players. They are a bunch of talented people. Its the management which makes all the difference. Bob was a fantastic coach and gave it his all.

May your soul rest in peace Bob. We love you.

Pakistan,s Loss and Exit from WC was bad enough but there is always next world cup in 4 years time but The loss of a great Coach Bob is unbearable.
On behalf of my Pakistan Cricket club Campbelltown we wish to extend our Condolences and sympathies to his Family.we salute you Bob on your efforts,wel done
May God bless you and peace be with your family.
Albert (PCCC)

I think Bob Woolmer and Pakistan Cricket became a victom of ICC's ongoing discrimination against
Pakistan cricket,This was the third green top wicket we got in a row in an ICC event,if a host nation prepares wickets according to its own strengths and oppositions weaknesses it can be understood but in a neutral tournament all the teams playing should get the same playing conditions,Pakistans weakness on green top pitches is known to every one and its not a secret
and perhaps it was the only area where BoB couldnt improve Pakistan,getting three green top pitches in a row cannot be coincidental,if their has been a random mix of such pitches made why we have not seen any other similar pitch elsewhere in the tournament.BOB after the match against Ireland raised the same point with Chris Broad.
Arguments can be given that Ireland also batted and fielded on the same pitch,but the question will remain which country recieved home like condition and hence unfair advantage.
A lot has been said about the oval fiasco,every rational person believes that was not initiated by Pakistan team it was another act of discrimination and targeted move against Pakistan
cricket.
Although I do think that the Pakistan fans and media did nothing to encourage the team they never
truly believed in the team,this criticism started even before a single ball was bowled in the cup,this was unfair for the team and coach,I think theres a lesson in this tragedy for all of us "Dont spread negative Karma as it is going to come back right at you"
Whether BoB's untimely death was natural or due to something else is yet to be seen,but one thing is for sure Pakistan Cricket has been deeply wounded and may not recover for a long time.

EVERY PAKISTANI is praying for Bob Woolmer nobody is going to brush this off as it shouldnt be brushed off. He was simply amazing and so technical. pakistan n indian cricket is just too insane, i hate those idiots who praise heroes one second and another second they are burning dummies of the same heroes. its just a shame. RIP Woolmer ur amazing contributions won't be forgotten.

I am very saddened like all others with Bob Woolmer's tragedic and sudden death. Words can't express real expression. His death means, he lived for cricket and he died for cricket.Some player and management may from pakistani team and PCB may retire or leave their respectice postions but look at Bob's passion and dedication, he gave his life for it. God may bless the departed soul

It is indeed sad that only a shocking tragedy helps people put things into perspective. I believe Mr. Woolmer gave his very best for a country of another’s; truly an inspiration. This is the saddest day for Pakistan cricket, not a meagre loss to a second string team who played well and deserved it. My sincere heartfelt condolences Mr. Woolmer’s family and all the Genuine, intelligent Pakistani’s who moan his death.

Jeevs (Sri Lanka)

Nobody knew exactly what he meant when he said"I cannot say how this will affect me"

Get up Pakistan.Honour this India born Coach's memory.Rediscover your pride,talent and play as one.

I hope the Govt of Pakistan pays the highest tribute to one of her own.A civilian Martyr.

To Bobs family..He died doing what he did and loved best;from all of us in India too our deepest condolences and sorrow.

RIP

While the whole situation is extraordinarily sad and shocking, I think it's wrong to blame the Pakistani team for Bob's grievous death. Fair enough he was under tremendous stress and disappointment, but we gota remember God has preplanned the time of departure for everyone. Its sad it had to happen like this, but to blame the already distraught team members is wrong in my opinion.
My heart goes out to Bob's family n associates..it is truly a great loss to millions of people around the world, in very many unique ways.

sad news indeed;

i dont know if this comment will be posted,just censored cause it'll hurt some ppl.........,
but the PAK cricket fans must take the blame for this tragedy.If we can enjoy the game for the true spirit of the game,then extrmism has no room.But we think that individuals are above the game.And thats the worst that a game can have.
Then fans cant enjoy the game any more and the whole Team is under pressure.
Learn from the Windies.How bad they loose some mathches.(Even practise match in home just b4 the WC game).But WI fans are intelligent ..They didnt bash Lara or any indiviudal.They just enjoy the game for the spirit of it...Y cant we do the same.........

we dont know as long as some one with us
we know him after his depature, too late. so sad.

I am terribly shocked over this death than pak's defeat. He is a innovator, he lived for cricet and died for cricket.
Cricketing world and cricket lovers will never forget u, bob.
May the power of almighty will rest your soul in peace.

My deep condolences to his family.

A very sad end to the life of a good man. The timing of it is so horrible. His death will forever be linked to Pakistan's shocking early exit from the game. If there is a link then obviously he was a man so passionate about cricket that he could not bear the travesty of his team going from outside tournament favorites to out of tournament in two games.

I wish his family courage to deal with his death. The team must be going through hell as well. I know most will feel guilty for letting their coach down to such an extent.

It's a tragedy of Homeric proportions for Woolmer to have died so far from home and alone. The only consolation is that the man died in his boots, doing what he liked doing best. One hopes that he didn't suffer before the inevitable. Man born of a woman hath but a short time to live. Poor Bob didn't even complete his biblical span. To blame Bob for Pakistan woes is unfair. The man tried his very best with what was at his disposal. The greatest tribute that the Pakistan team can pay him is to go out and play Zimbabwe in his memory and decimate them.

Bob was a great coach. Cricket lovers don't realise that their demands sometimes can take someone's life too. A great scholar of the game of cricket, he was also very innovative and passionate about cricket. His dream of making Pakistan team the next Australian team, speaks volumes of his passion for the game as well as the sub continent. My condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace! Amen.

He will always be remembered as a coach who dared to experiment and think of doing ways differently. RIP Bob, u have a place in our indian hearts as well....

I dont have words to expres my grief. This is even a bigger loss than Ireland's game. He really put his heart n soul for Pakistan cricket. BOB WE THE PAKISTANI CRICKET FANS " SALUTE" YOU.

Shame on inzi for still thinking that he ll be the part of pakistani test team and for YOUNIS KHAN , i only have @##$%^&& . He is a back stabber. Whole nation was stunned after the loss to W.Indies and here comes the Vice captain saying that strategy of Pak was wrong. It shows the dis-integration in the team and lust for captaincy.

This is devastating news. My heart goes out to Woolmer's family. This is so tragic. Poor Woolmer. He was a decent man, and took the defeat to heart. Shame on all those who criticized him unfairly just because he was not a local. His professionalism and passion for cricket made him stand head and shoulders above all the other coaches and wannabe coaches.

I hope we take some lesson from this; its a game. treat it like one. For Gods sake dont crucify people just for losing a game, and dont make them into gods for winning it either.

The darkest day in Cricket.

I am deeply sadend by the sudden and sad demise of Woolmer aka "Boo bhai" as he was known in pakistan.
I fully support what Junaid Jamshed has said and has been published in our newspapers, Woolmer should be given some civil award to recognize his services to pakistan Cricket which is evident by his death that he got effected so much by our defeat that he suffered a heart attack. I also feel that his body be flown to Pakistan before handing it over to his family as people of Pakistan would love to participate in the performance of his last rights.
May Allah bless his soul (Amen)

This World Cup is beginning to look like a nightmare now. Bob Woolmer's loss is a little too much to take. He really didn't deserve this. It's a sad day for Cricket. Rest In Peace, Bob.

Bob's contribution to Pakistan cricket was always honest and whole hearted and for the better.

In a more 'civilised' and less politicised work environment i believe he could have acheived more than he already had.

RIP Bob, sympathies to your family.

"Pearls before swines"
Well this is the only comment I can give on Bob Woolmer's death. He must have been a great coach but a WEAK one. When Asif and Shoaib were sniffing the white powder or when Younis Khan or Mohammed Yousaf were out playing poor shots or Kamran Akmal popping out lollies or when Iqbal was made the bowling coach.
BOB SHOULD HAVE PUT HIS FOOT DOWN.

I won't be surprised if somebody slipped IN some white powder in his last drink (remember there was Blood Vomit on his hotel room walls)

Anyway I would'nt like to speak ill of somebody who cannot defend himself.
May his soul rest in peace and I pray the next coach be a local one somebody like Javed or Sarfraz
Ameen

I am saddened by Woolmer's death. Autopsy should shed light on the causes. I hope the results don't point towards involvement of some sort by the bookies etc. Given Pakistan lost to Ireland, such a thing is not beyond the realm of possibility.

There was a wetness in my eyes while writing about Great BoB. A man who really wanted to improve Pak Cricket and even sacrificed his life in the WC campaign 2007 of Pakistan. May Alimgihty Allah rest his soul in Peace and give his family patience to bear this loss. This is not the right time to discuss about Pak Cricket but this would be a unjustice not to talk about the Bob's proffesionality of coaching to grow the Pakistan cricket team to bring in the cosistancy in Pakistan's team like in Austraila. But sorry to say once again Pakistan once again is facing the delima of Mismanagment, corruption in Pakistan Cricket Board, nepotisim (as you can see in case of Mustaq Ahmed appointment as assistant coach and exclusion of Waquar Younus, this is a one example there are many more...........)Even Naseem Ashraf appointment who is lonely responsible for Pakistan defat in W.Cup 2007 due to his lack competency and knowledge about cricket. In the nutsell we can say Untill the whole PCB management won't be sincere and tursty people won't be appointed in PCB, our cricket even can't be improve in the future and in many more future cricket world cups. This situation is disastrous for the cricket nursery of Pakistan and pitfall in the growth of Pakistan's cricket young talent. At present nobody is sincere in PCB with Pakistan Cricket. This is a great drama in the shape of PCB, which displays acts and his incompetency to the 16 crores cricket lovers of Pakistan and plays with their emotions. We don't have transparency simply. We don't know how this structures would be come true and good. But only can keep praying. Almighty Allah Please save the Pakistan, Save the Pakistan from those snakes, who are really the enmies of Pakistan and those are our Pakistani people and our selected people but they love to cut the roots of Pakistan. A Cricket Lover

Today Woolmer..tomarrow ????people of subcontinent must learn to behave with sportsman spirit....cricket is not a religion,players are not god...if beach volley is a game ,then cricket is also simplyy a game...how can we expect indisciplined,selfish and unproffesional teams like India and Pakistan to win all their matches........ each individual of this world has the right to do what he wants....if sehwag or younis don't want to to show commitment how is it possible for us to make them do so??do we have to keep their family on point blank region during their matches???? pleassee india and pakistan should not behave as a one sport country...we are those who gave birth to great jansher khan,dhyanchand and so...dont and never give unwanted emotions to cricket and dont give unwanted love and respect to the cricketers........Sorry woolmer you were a good person in a bad team and in a wrong world...may god bless you and your family.....
once the players enter the world neither woolmer nor chappel nor even buchanan can control their players........Indians and Pakistanis.. dont buy any products for which our cricket players are the ambasadores

God bless Bob, may his soul rest in peace.

I still remember the last television footages of woolmer packing his laptop after loss to ireland. I never thought something like this would happen to true servant of cricket. rest in peace Bob Woolmer. You are wonderful coach and very good person. Will miss you

Rest in Peace Bob. When Pakistan play Zimbabwe, the team plays in Bob's name, the fans support in Bob's name, and Pakistan Cricket will Inshallah re-build in his name.

My sympathies are with Bob's family, he was and still is in my heart a man who had the integrity and the belief in the pakistani cricket to actually pay the ultimate price and take responsibility. A responsibility that was never his to take,and a cause that was ultimately impossible and any and all efforts for that cause were in vain. Nasim Ashraf and Inzamam this was your doing and SHAME ON ALL OF U!!! But alas you people do not have the same integrity or sense of responsibility that a non pakistani had. It is ironic that a non-pakistani in all of this was the true PAKISTANI of you shameless lot!!
Bob you will always be a pakistani hero!!
You will be missed greatly!
I pray for your family and may Allah give them peace and Sabr

Very tragic. He was a passionate and devoted man. A big loss for cricket.

It's very sad indeed. May God give courage to his family. He was a pleasant, sincere man.
I wonder why so many people on this forum are using this moment as a stick to beat the Pak team's religosity with?

You were a true gentleman. I thought I was upset over the match, but that was nothing compared to how I feel now.
Bob, we will miss you.

Sad and painful events are following each other at a pace that is leaving everyone numb. One wishes if people like Kamran Abbasi, Fakhre Alam (come to think of it, the crooner is also an expert), Imran Khan etc. could keep their "wise views" to themselves, only if for time being.

My deepest condolences to Bob' family. RIP Bob. I think we all have to get our perspectives right. After all cricket is a game and we should not let our emotions overrule our behaviour. Being an Indian, I request Rahul Dravid and Greg Chappel to take it easy and not put themselves in undue stress. Also let us all have a sense of balance in both defeats and victories. After all life is more precious than victory in sport.
To Theena, there is no hypocrisy in the expressions that have poured to condole Bob's death. I guess these are all natural reactions from humans who value life over anything else.

Bloody typical I would say. One moment everyone is baying for his blood, the next singing his praises.

Bob will be missed by all. His reach and impact has been felt across the globe.

Rest well Bob. Greatest condolences to your family

I am completely stunned on this very sad news. I could not believe it. I hope from this inciden, atleast, we subcontient fans (Ind, Pak, SL, Bngl) tone down the intensity of cricket. After all this is just a game. I feel terrible for such a big loss. He is THE coach who bought in technology to cricket. We, cricket fraternity, have lost one of the pioneers in Cricket World. I am so saddened.

Rest in Peace, Bob Woolmer.

- Srivats

No one can doubt the commitment of the Late coach, it was there in front of our eyes in every match. It is traggic and amy God Bless his soul!

Dear Bob

I know you can hear this. As a Pakistani I thank you for caring. I will never forget the look on your face when Pakistans last specialist batsman got out. I know you loved cricket and the world of cricket today salutes you. I have not heard a single Pakistani today who is not heart broken at the news. Thanks for being a part of us.

Very tragic. He was a passionate and devoted man. A big loss to cricket.

RIP bob. my condolences to your family.
for us, we never gave you the apprciation you deserved. you took up a great challenge in trying to turn our team around. a thankless job really, given all the politics, and youve died a dedicated coach and cricketer. for us, you left this world with a message for this team and for every Pakistan squad to come, a message of dedicatation to the game. May you rest in peace, and hopefully, the pcb will honor your death as it never did your life.

you will be missed. im sorry it had to be this way :(

I hardly recovered from yesterdays defeat at the hands of Ireland when I heard that our beloved coach has been taken to hospital and then shortly after that the sad news of his demise. Everything happened so quickly that I am still in disbelief. Bob Woolmer was a father figure for Pakistan team. He did so much for Pakistan cricket lifting the team from absolute shambles to second ranked in both forms of game. Coaching Pak cricket team is a hot seat which does not allow anybody to sit on for a long time. Yet he brought stability and spirit in the team. Then came the unfortunate cycle of events in Pak cricket, which were out of his hands, that brought the team on the path of a steady decline. I saw Bob looking very disappointed in SA and then in the match against Ireland. I can’t forget when he was shaking his head when Shoaib Malik got out and then at the end of the match when I saw him packing his Laptop in a bag with a body language of a disheartened soul. To win the world cup was the dream of every Pakistani but his was a mission. I am so sorry that he could not succeed in his mission mainly due to mischievous of others. I have witnessed tears in the eyes of people where ever I went and everybody expressed the grief as if someone of their own has passed away. My heart goes out to his family. May his soul rest in peace.

Since I had developed the cognitive capacity to understand and to play the game of cricket, I had unconditionally devoted my soul to Pakistan cricket team. I have seen a lot: huge success, unprecented efforts to overcome the obstacle to win a match, the next-to-miracle innings by many. In other words, my love for Pakistan cricket only grew stronger and stronger and seemed immoveable by anything. Until the most shocking news in the history of the game: Bob died in his hotel room after the game.
Let me tell you one thing: enough of ruthless patriarchy in Pakistan society and in its cricket. Rubbish, arrogant management coupled with absolutely naive and egoistic attitude of the captain took this man's life, nothing else. I feel so sad for him and his family; he had to go through so much within this short tenure only to experience some of the most unkind atmosphere surrounding him any time, on and off the field. Shame on Pakistan cricket board, shame of feudalistic mentality of many including the captain, shame on meaningless arrogance. Hopefully, his tragic death will be able to instill some sort of civilized character in Pakistan cricket.

I am sorry.I never said it in words.Never wrote in blogs.However I always thought Bob Woolmer was one of the main causes of Pakistan's failures.I am sorry.I feel ashamed at my narrow thinking.Forgive us Bob Woolmer.After reading above letters, my eyes have opened.I shoud not think bad about somebody whom I dont know well.

I am very sad and extremely disturbed today because of this shocking tragedy. Bob Woolmer has DIED - I could not believe it the first time i heard it. The past 2 days have had too many sad emotions running high.

Since he took on the impossibly stressful job of coaching pakistan, he put up with a lot of people letting him down because he loved the game and the pakistan team and his No.1 goal was to give everything in his life to make pakistan succeed. Granted, his strategies did not always get their desired result on the cricket field but he did everything in his power. A lot of people around him did little to improve the team and he should have gotten the appreciation, cooperation and effort that he deserved and did not get from many of his colleagues and players. Their repeated failures undid all of Bob's earlier work and eventually culminated in the world cup exit. The pain and pressure of this caused his death, and they are largely responsible for this.

Its like the world cup has come to a standstill. The cricket is a secondary issue now, after this tragedy. I pity the insane fans who called for the arrest of Bob and Inzamam after the ireland loss and who burn their effigies. Minnows can beat the biggest teams. Cricket is only a game. In the end, the death of a person really puts things into perspective. There is a limit to how much a coach can handle the kind of pressure that unmeasurably emotional fans and officials put on him.

We only realize what a great coach we had after we lost him.

Pakistan should give Bob a medal of honour for the love and dedication he put into pakistan cricket and the way he revamped the team's attitude (remember the tour of india in 2005 - that is what true champions are). I hope everyone involved in the team learn from Bob's legacy and continue his innovation. I hope now the team can finally unite in honour of Bob to start afresh.

He was a brilliant coach and a sincere man. All of cricket has lost a great person. My sincere condolences go out to Bob's family and friends.

Millions of us everywhere in the world appreciate everything you did for Pakistan. We all miss you Bob. Rest in Peace.

I couldn't agree more with KB's last comment: n many ways the skill of Bob Woolmer was wasted on Pakistan cricket and many millions of Pakistan cricket fans around the world are grateful to him for taking up the challenge.

It was wasted. How many years does Pak establishment need to present a decent system and a team. It is a shame that a country with so much talent is not going anywhere.

A man who attrobute his life for cricket, born in india, citizen of South africa, played for England, Coach of PAkistan and died in W.Indies- All test playing nation
a man for cricket in true sence

I am really shocked, and really sad. Pakistan team has to do something special for Bob. God bless him.

Deep condolonces to Bob's family, and his soul may rest in peace forever, He sacrified his life for the sake of cricket,he was a person who brought revolution in the world cricket&PAK cricket too, what could be a better proof that he collapsed after pakistan's historic loss to IRELAND part time cricketr's who came with the intention of just having a Carribean tour.

My condolences to Mrs. Woolmer and family. Pakistan will miss Bob.to me he always seems that he wants the best for pakistani team.mushraf can yuo please give bob a pakistan citizenship in his honor and for his service for pakistan.

Pray to God that your soul rest in peace Bob.
To the ardent fans of the sub-continent. We're all passionate and as disappointed in defeat, but its only a sport with a primary objective of lightening up our lives. Lets strive not to build such a pressure chest around it that it takes its toll on the lives of those associated with it. They are our heroes, but heroes do fail. Lets not nail them for it.

This is a vey sad day indeed. Cricket has lost one of the greatest coach and a true pioneer. He will be surely missed. He gave Pakistan some hope of turning around their fortunes, even if it was for a brief period. Thank You Bob, God bless your soul.

bob woolmer, aik hi ghairat mand tha,
baqyoon main ghairat hoti tou sab marr jatay...

We as a nation need to learn from this tragedy that, nothwithstanding our passion for cricket, at the end of the day its just a game and not a matter of life and death. I wonder what the people, who were chanting "Death to Inzi and Bob" after the Ireland match, thinking right now?
We must reduce the tremendous pressure that the Pakistani cricket team and its management is subjected to by us. Bob Woolmer did tremendous service to the Pakistan team and was a national hero despite the failure in the world cup. Lets give our heroes a chance and ease back on the extreme expectations we have from them in every tournament and series. Let them do their jobs as professionals. There is plenty of pressure in international cricket as it is.
I offer my heartfelt condolences to Bob's family and friends on his tragic and untimely death. May his soul rest in peace. Ameen.

R.I.P Bob ....
You have been an inspiration for pakitani cricket and cricket culture....you will be sorely missed

Bob took Pakistan's defeat literally to heart ...he deserved better !!! His sincere desire to see Pakistan win was greatly under estimated by many. Hope PCB can do something special for him to show their gratitude. PCB should get their act together and start recruiting player who have at least some college education who can appreciate quality and understand the challanges of modern cricket.
Good Luck Inzi on your future endeavors. You have contributed a lot to Pakistan cricket. It is unfortunate that the exit is unceremonious...but it is what it is. Everything has a shelf life and anything beyond its shelf life starts to stink...you have indeed realized your time to walk away.
Deepest of condolences to Bob's family.

Thank you sir, the "cricketers" appreciate what you did for us.

I was shocked when I listened this news on Dubai Radio at 10.30 pm. my condolence with his family and Pakistan team.

Bob Woolmer's tragic death is a very sad moment for Pakistan cricket. We do not acknowledge that he did make a notable difference. it is easy to criticise him but let that not overshadow the things he achieved. Barring the last few months when the team crumbled after the ball tempering, doping faiscos, Woolmer has brought a cosnderable level of maturity in our batting aswell as the strength in our bowling lineup to stand up despite missing frontline bowlers. Yes he was not able to find the right pair of openers and our failures on grassy, seaming tracks continued but why is he to blame for that. We keep forgetting that our batting has always struggled on such tracks and also that he alone cannot make an opener. Woolmer we will miss you. You were a great team man. You did a lot for this team. May your soul rest in peace.

i am shell shocked like everybody else. It just goes to show how fanatic we fans are. It has resulted in the loss of a life. He wanted to improve Pakistan cricket and has lost his life as a price for it. It is a lesson to everybody not to take a game so seriously. We all love our country but let us look at a game like a game.

Dear Bob Woolmer

Come Back,
You are Life Time Coach Of Pakistan Cricket Team.
You would be too much devoted to our team.We never
thought.
You are not only the champion of pakistan people
also every one in the world who love cricket.

Under your coaching we won alot matches.
YOU ARE GREAT ,YOU ARE GREAT ......
MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE.
MY HEART FEELS CONDOLENCE TO BOB FAMILY.
COME BACK BOB,COME BACK BOB......WE MISS YOU,WE MISS YOU.....................WE LOVE YOU, WE LOVE YOU................................

great sportsperson,a great coach and a great man who gave his entire life for cricket and died for it

It is indeed a very shocking , we are being tested , one shock then another.
There was no grudge against BOB , he did his best to improve Pakistan team and how passionately he was associated with all the players and the game .
His demise is so sudden and shocking ,one had not expected such thing.And then Inzamam's decision , stress and disappointment , shocking news , inside and outside Pakistan.
I have no words to express how deeply we'll miss him .
My deeep heartfelt condolence , He had become a part of Pakistan and his loss cant be replaced .
I hope things go well for Pakistan and May his soul rest in peace.
We all will miss you deeply !

The sad demice of Bob woolmer has a deep effect on me. I was stunned with sorrow when i first read this news on news papper. For me, he was a man with great valour and self respect. But the whole Pakistani team has let down him due to their pothetic defeat over world cup minnows. Well, a line was continously quoted on our media, "Jeet ke Jeo". Now i think it should be like this for the whole Pakistani team,"Aisee haar pe doob maro".

Offcourse Bob couldn’t bear the pressure of deat. We just can’t blame 11 men or Cricket managment. Pakistanis in general also reacted wildly and ignorantly. What I personally think that Bob has been killed, whether 11 guys in field killed him, people in PCB killed him or 16 corore Pakistanis who were always loved by Bob and they in return gave him nothing but insults and abuses. I don’t know the real answer, only Bob would tell us “the day” the reality of his sudden death. What I feel that Bob was very dearer to me like many other Pakistanis and I realized it after his death

I think this loss cannot be compensated at any level. Bob was such a great man, I met him a few times he was great. Pakistan government and board should pay tribute to this hero of the national side. He has taken huge tension of Pakistan defeat. Truly he was a man of honour and we all will pray and pay tribute.... Bob may God treat you well.... We all love you

Rest in peace Bob,
He was a great cricketer and a coacher..cricket has lost one of its greatest men.
You have done a great job Bob, eventhough Pakistan team could not make it through to super 8...it is not your fault...it never can be...It is the fault of all players on field (cannot blame a captain or certain player)..performance of every and each player is important for team's success. you can teach a guy how to swim, give him instructions, paractice...etc...but if he get into the water and fails to do so, it is not your fault..you have done your job...the guy just can't do it...Pakistani team has the potential to beat the best in the world...accordingly....they can lose to a school team too...its all about their performance....Bob...cricket will miss you...

What more can I possible add - after reading all thats written above - the condolences, the thoughts, the honors and the criticism!

"Hall of Fame"'s may have been made in the past, but this time Bob Woolmer was amongst the key members to rank Pakistan Cricket Team as Top-4 in the world. But I must say, I saw it tremble down after Darrel Heirs incident in England. The suspensions, the bans, the penalties, the browls, the defeats, the losses and now the death.

How much has Pakistan lost in the last 6 months; and how much more, does it yet have to loose? Who can stand up to this continuous denigration and for how long?

My condolences to the Woolmer family. My heart goes out thinking of the pain they may have been thru being so far apart when the skies fell. My sympathy and support with the Pakistan Cricket team to face such losses over the months. But I wish you courage and strength to pass this test. And honor is when you rise after the fall!

He is indeed a big loss to cricket and specially pakistani cricket. My condolences to Mrs. Woolmer and family.

This is such a sad day! I have not the words. My condolences to the Woolmer family. Life is such a strange thing ... so many of us were criticizing Bob left right and center, and today he is no more with us and now we realize what we had. May you rest in peace. My apologies if I ever said anything hurtful or over-critical.

Dear Kamran,

I think you have dealt with the circumstances of Mr. Woolmer's death with nobility.

Mr. Woolmer will not only be missed by Pakistan but by cricket. An innovative coach who did indeed try to do his job despite the political issues that blight Pakistani sport.

In light of your open letter after the Ireland defeat, I think you have dealt with the situation very well. You had to make those points and Mr. Woolmer would more than likely have been pragmatic about the issues you raised. I hope you don't feel as though you have to justify yourself in light of his tragic death. You don't and Mr. Woolmer would have understood (and probably still does).

The team is responsible for their spineless displays. What more motivation does one need than pulling on the green jersey of Pakistan in a World Cup? Neither Mr. Woolmer nor Inzamam can change that mindset. Our preparations were more than likely unprofessional but in terms of leadership - Mr. Woolmer facilitated the appropriate coordination and management of the team. The motivation and leadership should have come from Inzamam. Football and cricket are two very different sports and the coach in Cricket has never played a similar role as the coach in Football. I love Inzamam for all he is but a captain he never was. His lethargy was always clear and a man who could barely run between the wickets wasn't exactly a team's perfect role model.

In any case. More important issues come to light. Like how a family will come to terms with such a loss. Inna lillahil wa inna illeyhil raji'oon.

Not a relation...but I live with your cousin Shehzad in Dubai.

Regards,

Asad Abbasi

lets hope this incident serves some good purpose, such as reform within Pakistan board. It is not right that a good honest man die because of stress (that pakistan is out of the WC) while ppl like Shoaib Akhtar (who only want the glory of fast bowling, but don't put in any honest effort), or other members of the team are living.

Is pakistan cricket so bad that it takes the life of even a neutral coach ?

To the people blaming bob woolmers death on the pakistani players you digust me. for once stop the blame game. its just a game. I was disappointed when pakistan lost but nothing prepared me for this. RIP Bob Woolmer and condolences to his family. . Reading the article on cricinfo about people in pakistan chanting death to bob woolmer and death to inzamam in is the most disgusting thing i have ever read i feel so ashamed that pakistanis could stoop that low just for a game. shame on you

Sir Bob proved every thing and give us a big example. Now its Our turn to learn our mistakes.. Forget about the past and think about the future!

This is indeed a sad day for Pakistani cricket. Pakistan has lost a man who not only was passionate about our cricket but wanted to make a significant change to Pakistan cricket.

I am saddened by the fact when people think back to Bob's death they will recall the pathetic performance that lead to it. I think he deserved better he deserves to be remembered as a super coach not by the pathetic performance of his charges who never listened to him.

RIP Bob you're a national hero. Pakistan pays tribute to you.

I do remember the last few glimpses of Bob sitting with Afridi, both were looking very sombre. Again, they showed Bob standing alone and leaning out at the balcony railing, as the match was slipping away, he buried his head in to his chest in dismay and total disbelief. Why was he there so alone? Perhaps sometimes, "solitude is more than enough company". As I was contemplating that it was the last time we saw him alive, is indeed a very sad moment. Only he knew how he was feeling then, but he may not have thought that it will be his last match that he will witness. Can we ever measure the mood by the shape and deepness of the footprints which Bob has left behind? They are so deep routed, embedded with the weight of disdain, the moments of joy and sorry, of hate and love, of arguments and agreements, of sharing and caring. I still can't believe Bob is gone!

Calgary highlander: You are right, Pak will play the last game and the officials have confirmed it. But, I don't know how they will play with such a heavy heart. The team is emotionally shattered and to play a game so soon is asking too much. But, I still suggest that the whole team should go to South Africa or wherever his family is and pay condolence to his family in person. PCB has so much money and I am sure they can afford this expense for Bob's sake.

About Sarfaraz Nawaz and that petty journalist Hamid Mir or whoever he is, the less you talk about such people the better it is. How can they be so cruel to pass such petty comments about a person who gave away his life for cricket. We all say things in the heat of the moment, but never really mean it, but to say something bad about him NOW is a sin. Just pray for him and for his family. Its an irreparable loss for his family may God give them the courage to face this great loss also, rest his soul in peace.

Posted by: Harish H at March 19, 2007 12:10 AM

Harish, so far SL has proved that they are the strongest team in the group, so both India and BD will have a tough time against them. But, its not just a matter of Sri Lanka Vs. India that will be the decider for India to move ahead. It is also Bermuda Vs. Bangladesh game that will be the deciding factor. And, BD will play against Bermuda keeping in mind how many runs they have to score so as to keep ahead of India in terms of better run rate So, even if India wins against SL, the run rate would become the deciding factor.

First of all my deepest condolences for Bob's family.Pakistan has lost a fatherly figure, more than a coach he was a well wisher for the players.He understood every player importantly brought unity among the cricketers.It's true their were few grey areas during his tenture as coach.But the truth is he was better than the rest who coached pakistan.Sad way to end though.MAY GOD REST HIS SOUL IN PEACE.

He should be given a state burial and a nishan-e-imtiaz. He was the most committed individual in the PCB to win the world cup for pakistan. our nation must honor his committment and loyalty in the most passionate way possible!

In Memoriam

Bob Woolmer, Goodbye, Khuda Hafiz, Alavedha
You will be missed by millions of fans.
You were not only a great cricketer,
But a kind, humane, human being.
We all thought we knew you well,
But alas, No!
You would go that far!
You would give your life,
To a cause you believed in.
Cricket will always remember you,
Thanks for all the things you accomplished.
Thanks for all the memories, on and off the filed,
Salam, Namasté, Au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen,
Bob Woolmer, May God Bless You!

Cricket is Cricket; after the last over, and the last innings, the life goes on. The following is an English translation of a famous poem by Allama Iqbal.

“Epilogue” by Allama Iqbal

When, to leave earth, I gathered what was mine,
To have known me through and through was each man’s claim;
But of this traveler none knew truly what he
Spoke, or to whom he spoke, or whence he came.

Bob Woolmer will always have a place in the hearts of South African cricket supporters. He will be remembered for all that he gave us. We would not be where we are today if not for him. Our prayers are with him and his family. You will not be forgotten.

I know, at least, when I get to heaven, who will be coaching the 1st eleven.

Kamran: I am deeply saddened by the tragic demise of Bob, even though I have been the greatest supporter of a need for a Pakistani ex-cricketer for the position of national coach, I can assure that myself nor any one who ever condemned Bob for his strategies, would have wanted for this to happpen. He had become so close to our culture and Pakistan that it has come as a great shock. A sad ending indeed for a man with good intentions. My prayers are with his family.

Why slaughter Zim? Why dedicate Pakistan's last match to Bob? Does Pakistan team worth dedicating anything to man of Bob's stature. When he was there no one cared, didnt listen to him, couldnt make his dream true.
I know no words can express Bob's dedication, or his contribution to Pakistan Cricket, nor the grief his family is having.
For so called Ex-greats like Miandad and Zaheer, if you got BALLS then come and prove yourself, with what Bob has done during his tenure. I bet they will never be able to do....even if they try it together.
One thing i have realised... pakistan team along with Inzimam is nothing but PATHETIC AND HOPELESS!!!A piece of shit!
My deepest sympathy to Bob's family. May his soul rest in peace!!!

LOOSING BOB......

Bob Woolmers death is only just starting to sink in…

As a crazy Pakistan cricket fan who has stuck with this sorry team for much of my life..it’s all getting too much now and im finding it hard to hold back the tears at the sorrow I feel on loosing Bob…and here was I feeling relieved that the PCB was talking about extending Bobs contract when it expired….

Here was a good, decent man and an excellent and innovative coach…a man crazy enough to step into the snake pit that is Pakistan cricket..a snake pit that has eaten up men of substance and spit them out with alarming regularity…he was a brave man to take on the job of coaching this bunch of thankless loosers and he paid for his courage with his life..

It will always be my belief that the players killed him…..apparently it was only the ‘foreign’ coach that felt that he had received a mortal wound through the humiliation at the hands of the Irish….it shows me how much he cared for us as a cricket team…for me as a loyal Pakistan cricket fan and for Pakistan in general……

Im truly agonized over this and it will take me buckets of time to get over this….in the good old days…it should have been Inzamam to have taken the honourable route and literally fell on his sword and commited hara-kirri to save whatever little honour he had left…. A swift blade to the stomach…a downwards and sideways movement of the short sword…and probably a Mohammad Hafeez to finish the job from above when it got too much for the captain…but I think that sort of thing is a bit much too expect from Inzamam who apparently was too scared to even move up the order ..something every Pakistani with half a brain was calling for…we asked for his courage and selflessness…and we got his timidity and selfishness…we deserved better…by God we deserved better….!!!!!!

Bob was the best coach we EVER had (Javed Miandad can go to hell for all I care)…the sincerety that bob brought to the job was amazing…the fact that it all began to unravel after the oval fiasco wasn’t his fault…it was the fault of the players…of Inzamam (fine player but the absolute worst captain in our cricketing history) and the PCB….and we ALL know it..in fact….I will point out that this is another example that whatever the Mullah’s touch…turns to shit faster than you can say ‘oh shit’…….!!!!!and don’t pretend you don’t know it…

Apparently it was ONLY BOB WOOLMER WHO APOLOGISED to the Pakistani public after the loss…something the players and that buffoon of a captain Inzamam never bothered to do…pretty clear who was more invested in Pakistan cricket at WC 2007….

Bobs total commitment to Pakistan cricket was apparent for any Pakistan cricket fan who cared to listen to what he said and saw what he did…to see how every defeat pained him at a personal level…He would have kept trying…would have kept working with our team till his body would allow him im sure…im dead sure of it…

The fact that he is gone is a loss for cricket….and a loss for this sorry, sorry Pakistan team....I doubt it if they will find a coach like Bob again..or a man brave enough to let his professional reputation ride on the actions of the Pakistan cricket team and the PCB……

Rest in Peace Bob Woolmer..Rest in Peace…We know you did your best…We know you stuck it out….We knew your worth..

I for one will Miss him like a pain…..May God have Mercy on his soul……

"In many ways the skill of Bob Woolmer was wasted on Pakistan cricket" what an ironic end of the very unfortunate story.

HE WAS THE BEST COACH IN WORLD CRICKET AND THE WORLD OF CRICKET WILL NEVER FORGET THE IMPACT YOU MADE ON THE GAME!

BOB WOOLMER

REST IN PEACE.

Bob Woolmer was not only a great coach but a true scholar of cricket , such a pity that he wasted his time with a team of Pakistans caliber , mind that I am not talking in terms of talent but mental strength. My deepest condolences to his family. We as a nation and cricketing world owe to Bob, and I agree that he should be given a award from Pakistan higher authorities.
Our cricket teams last gift to great coach was untimely retirement announcement of our (leave to Allah and do nothing himself) captain. I want to say this to Inzamam , for God sake you should have waited for two days. What is all management doing, PJ Mir, Talat Aziz. All public money going to drain. Well done Mr Naseem Asharaf for hiring individuals like these. I am deeply saddened about how this episode has been handled and how Pakistan lost to Ireland.

It is sad and ironic how being as thoughtful as he was (cheered the pakistan team right after their most recent loss) in making sure "his boys" were always mentored and looked after, that Bob Woolmer passed away in solitude. I am sure the entire Pakistan team and others included would have liked to have rushed him to the hospital a few hours earlier had they known any better. I also feel its extremely distasteful, perhaps not surprising hailing from the medical profession where life and death maybe a matter of business as usual, for Kamran Abbasi to suggest how in the end "he (Bob) failed." A mere loss in a match, a game that unites people, or a tournament is minscule compared to matters of life and death. Even Shoaib Akhtar shows his character when he is all praise in his obituary comments given their tumultous relationship. Thankfully, from reading most of the comments from other readers, the majority of whom are shocked and saddened, have a deeper understanding of the price Bob Woolmer paid in the end. Rest assured Bob, you not only left an entire nation, but the entire cricketing world and fans all around proud of your achievements.

Volunteering to become the non-desi coach of a South Asian cricket side takes guts and a taste for adventure. Bob did it for years with brilliance, class and results. On top of that, he was such a warm and genuine person. I am deeply saddened by his demise. Cricket is poorer without him.

In Memoriam

Bob Woolmer, Goodbye, Khuda Hafiz, Alavedha
You will be missed by millions of fans.
You were not only a great cricketer,
But a kind, humane, human being.
We all thought we knew you well,
But alas, No!
You would go that far!
You would give your life,
To a cause you believed in.
Cricket will always remember you,
Thanks for all the things you accomplished.
Thanks for all the memories, on and off the filed,
Salam, Namasté, Au revoir, Auf Wiedersehen,
Bob Woolmer, May God Bless You!

Cricket is Cricket; after the last over, and the last innings, the life goes on. The following is an English translation of a famous poem by the poet of the East Allama Iqbal.

“Epilogue” by Allama Iqbal

When, to leave earth, I gathered what was mine,
To have known me through and through was each man’s claim;
But of this traveler none knew truly what he
Spoke, or to whom he spoke, or whence he came.

this is immense.....my condolences to bob and his family.
on a side note,things just seem to be getting worse for us pakistanis every passing day...wonder what's next.

Just cannot stop thinking about Bob....
I feel like I have lost a good friend.....

I MISS BOB... :(

First of all my condolences to Bob Woolmer's family. Cricket has not only lost a cricketer but also a great ambassador and a gentleman. He was doing a herculian job in trying to bring the Pakistani team to great heights. When i learned about his joining the Pakistani team in 2004, i quietly said a prayer for his success hoping against hope that he will be able to make a difference in Pakistan cricket team in particular and Pakistani cricket in general. It is probably the most demanding job in the world of sports to coach a pakistani team. He not only had to fight and gel the eleven or 16 "wives" in the team but also the team officials as well as the whole Pakistani Board setup. It is almost near to impossible to try and make a team of brilliant individuals to become a combined force.
My thoughts and prayers go to his family. I am sure that the learned and educated cricket community of cricket in Pakistan will always remember Bob as an English player/coach who Became PAKISTANI. God rest his soul in peace and give his family the courage and strength to deal with this tragedy. Amen

Ahh!!! Bob Woolmer Dies, surely all the playing eleven against Ireland was the culprits for his death. After suffering a most embarced defeat, he loses his life and this lead him to Death.

I have met Bob when he was in Australia with Pakistani team. I still remember his joke to Razaq and Mohammad yousaf(when they were to play for World Eleven).Deaf and blind Olympic held in Melbourne at the same time. He jokes to Razaq andf Yousaf that I have 15 Blind and Deaf player who should play in this deaf and Blind olympic.
We Will Miss you BOB.
Athar, Melbourne, Australia

thanks Bob.
U were the best coach the world have ever seen sorry we did't recognize you and we lost you in our politics.Sorry we did't respected you.Sorry we rushed on you.But at last we loved you as the part of our family and you will remain our part our pakistani part for ever for ever whenever there will be cricket.

Every cricket lover Pakistani would regard the sevices of MrBOB,he did his best to improve the skills of our team. He deserves recognition from PCB, govt of pakistan and all pakistanis. BOB had such a loving personality that he will be remembered for long.A smiling face who would ignore ill doings of others and concentrate on his job. MrBOB we allwill miss you .When the chips were down you were the syomble of hope for the cricket in pakistan.

I am deeply shocked to know that Bob is no more. Definitely he tried his level best to improve the cricket in Pakistan for that he should be remembered for ever. I am happy that lots of Pakistani friends do believe that way.
My heartfelt condolence to Bob's family. May his soul rest in peace.
Thanks

I'm really saddened by his death. May Allah have mercy on him.No doubt he was a great human being who worked with all dedication to bring Pakistan team forward,but team due to its mental fragility failed him. May Allah grant him Jannah.

I am deeply saddened by the news. I always thought he was a dedicated individual and great coach stuck in an indisciplined and disorganised setup. Let all of us take this moment to pay tribute to a wonderful gentleman and a great cricketing brain.
We as a nation should learn from this. We need to rediscover the fact that cricket is just a game. Its a sport. We have stopped enjoying it as a nation by being over obesessed with constant success. In doing so we are losing the joy of the game and placing unimaginable pressure on the team and its management. And nobody can perform in sport when they are not enjoying it. My request to the whole nation on this sad moment is to take it as a sport, enjoy the game and let those involved with the game enjoy it too. Lets bring the joy and pleasure back into this wonderful game called cricket.

He worked day and night for betterment of Pakistan cricket ..... my heartiest condolences to his family and well wishers.

Its about time we should realise that Cricket is just a SPORT !!!

Bob did TRY to make a difference and was a 200% team man, its an irony that all his efforts done in the last 2 years had to go down the drain the was it did against IRELAND, I dont know the actual reason for his death but one thing is for sure that he was deeply hurt by Pakistan's LOWEST performance ever in International cricket... Rest in peace Bob, we loved u as a human being..

Shock! Shock! Shock!
I can't beleive it, I am stunned by the sudden death of BOB WOOLMER. He was really a man who had senses & feelings of winning. He lived for cricket & died for it. It would have been better if the 15 man squad was died. It is shame on the PAK SQUAD that they still live & bowed heads.

I can still remember his Q/A with Junaid Jamshid in Edgebston on July 2004

Junaid Jamshed asked him during the England toud of Pakistan, what is like to beat your country and Bob was famously quoted as saying;

"I am a Pakistani, I live in Pakistan, I will die in Pakistan, and will be burried in Pakistan"

Thank you for the memories Bob, I am sure there's a place in heaven for you

I pay my condonlence to his family. May ALLAH rest his soul in peace. AMEN!

When Bob took over the mantle of Pakistan coach in 1994 he knew it was the most challenging decision of his life.Pakistan was languishing at no.7 in the world rankings in both the test and one dayers.
Didnt he change Pakistan's fortunes by elevating them to no 3 in both formats of the game.At one point Pakistan was no.2 in the test rankings.All this was due to Bob's incredible coaching prowess.
Pakistan will never have a coach the calibre of Bob.Thank you Bob for your unflinching service to the Pakistan team.The Pakistan team and the public owe you a dept of gratitude.

All said and done But Thing is We as a nation killed a thorough gentleman. So sorry Bob. Wish it hadnt come to this. Rest in Peace.

RIP Bob.
Pakistani criket killed the poor soul. i dont knw wat to say or how to express my feelings. these two are the worst days for pakistan cricket and its fans. unfortunate to say the least.

First, I want to clear that th loss to Ireland was not the fault of the Coach, it was the players who should be given a thrashing and made accountable. The President of Pakistan who is the Cheif Patron should ask for the resignation of the following persons and make sure all of them do resign,Naseem Ashraf and his team comprising of Saleem Altaf, PH Mir and co. Cheif Selector Wasim Bari was the most stupid selector Pakistan ever have, he should also resign. Its good Inzi has resigned himself and Mushtaq Ahmed who was the bowlling coach in place of Waqar Yunis, should resign too. Also we should permanently drop average and bit n pieces players like Imran Nazir, Muhammad Hafeez, Rana Naveed, Kamran Akmal. We need players who have very good technique and a good cricketing brain. And in the last, Yunus khan should not be made captain of the cricket team, he is the most stupid person in the team after Inzi. If President Musharraf doesnot act, then he should also be labelled as the Greatest Stupid of all and such results will come in the future as well.
We need an explanation from all the PCB management!!!

True professional,will be remembered for years.

i am in utter shock, stunned silence actually, bob was a soft-spoken decent man who tried to bring a sense of professionalism in pakistani cricketers. may God Bless him and his family.

I say it with utter disgust that at times a game is more important than life itself.....its high time we take cricket as only a GAME. Bob Woolmer will be missed by all cricket fans around the world....

He was one of the best coaches and when he came I was personally very excited, he did give us more then expected, but the sad part is that we again wasted everything and in the end our castle crumbled, which started to deteriote in the series against England. I hope ex-players like Javed (who sorry to say is one of the most idiotic expert I have ever heard that guy just blunts rubbish) take it easy. I also like to offer my condolences to Bob's family. He was a pioneer that finished politics and made a mediocar personality like inzi into a captain. I also wish inzi the best and hope his and Bob's legacy is not marked by the Ireland defeat.

And younis khan can now jump rope all he wants.

i'm a pakistani american now settled in pakistan. i had no clue about cricket until i got married seven years ago. now as a passive follower of pakistani cricket, thanks to my husband's passion for the game, i truly came to adore "Woolmie" as he is known at our house. i was stunned speechless when i read the headline in the paper today. and as i sit here reading about his love for the game, i cannot for the life of me stop crying. as i wipe my tears all i can think of is how pure a person he was to care so truly for the betterment of our country's cricket. more than the pathetic atheletes who play it. i am so depressed and upset. as a pakistani. as a fan. and as a new student of this old game of cricket. I feel so bad for his family who has lost a husband and father. my heart aches. May Allah bless you Woolmie with eternal rest.

I really wish to offer my humble condolences to Bob's family. At this SAD moment the least we can do is to PRAY for his soul to Rest in Peace.
May the allmighty give strength to his family.

“Bob we all love you….. No way of forgetting you…we all Pakistani and all over cricket fan deeply hurt about your incident. We ask every one to remember you in there prayers…. We will call you a Sheed for Pakistan…..Inshallah Allah will bless you and you will be playing cricket in haven….. Inshalla