Woolmer was planning to retire

Updated 09.52 Mon Mar 26 2007
Keywords: Cricket World Cup, Pervez Mir, Dr Nasim Ashraf, Bob Woolmer, Jamaica, Inzamam-ul-Haq

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf has revealed Bob Woolmer had decided to retire hours before his murder.

Dr Ashraf received an email from Woolmer after Pakistan's shock defeat to Ireland, confirming his plans to stand down.

"He told me that he would continue to be involved in cricket at the grassroots level" - Dr Nasim Ashraf

Dr Ashraf said: "It was the email of a man who had been deeply hurt. He said that the boys gave it their best to the last minute.

"In that email he had shared some of his thoughts, he told me that he was hanging up his boots and retiring from international coaching.

"However he told me that he would continue to be involved in cricket at the grassroots level."

Meanwhile, the Pakistan team's media manager Pervez Mir has denied suggestions that Woolmer had been involved in a power struggle with the captain Inzamam-ul-Haq.

Mr Mir said: "The relationship was very cordial. Bob was a gentleman and he had his own gentle way of making his point. He was never coarse and he never said a strong word.

"He and the captain had developed a good working relationship. Of course the captain was the prime leader, on the ground and in the field he would make the decisions.

"But Bob had developed a good relationship with all the boys, from the most junior in that team to the captain. I saw a mature professional at work who was handling his job, which was a tough job in a very difficult situation, in a very very harmonious way and a very professional way. I really admired him for that and I told him so."

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