The Underbelly of Professional Cricket

Poison Traces Found In Deceased Pakistan Coach Bob Woolmer’s Hotel Room: Jamaican Police

Jamaican Police on Wednesday confirmed that poison traces have been found in deceased Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer’s hotel room. The information lends credence to the apprehensions that the Pakistan coach was murdered. Woolmer`s preliminary post-mortem report on Tuesday had proved inconclusive. Toxicology and other forensic tests were carried out by the medical and police teams.

Police is waiting for the results of the report to make headway into the investigation. Jamaica Police is likely to share with public the updates into the investigation on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Pakistan team players are being questioned about their whereabouts at the time of Woolmer’s death. Pakistan physio and trainer are also being interrogated.

Geo Television also reported that there was information that Woolmer might have been murdered.

Incidentally, on Tuesday, former Pakistan pacer Sarfaraz Nawaz had claimed that Woolmer had been murdered.

Nawaz, known for shooting off his mouth, said that he was sure the match-fixing mafia was behind Woolmer`s death. Woolmer died under mysterious circumstances on Sunday.

Woolmer`s death came a day after Pakistan suffered a shock defeat against Ireland and was eliminated from the World Cup.

The family of Bob Woolmer has authorized local authorities in Kingston to carry out a post mortem.

"His family is unable to come over to Kingston. But they have authorized the team`s trainer, Murray Stevenson to have the autopsy conducted," the team`s assistant manager Asad Mustafa told reporters over the telephone.

He said that once the post mortem was completed and the official report was released, Stevenson would send or fly with the body to Cape Town, Woolmer`s hometown.

The Pakistan camp have been struggling to cope with Woolmer`s death and have not had a practice session since their defeat by Ireland on Saturday which knocked them out of the tournament.

"It will be very difficult to motivate the boys for the game as they are all still shocked at this tragic happening," Mustafa said.

They are due to play their final Group D game against Zimbabwe on Wednesday.