New Delhi, India

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan remembered late coach Bob Woolmer and stated that he would've taken Pakistan cricket to greater heights had he served for a longer period. Woolmer was appointed as Pakistan's head coach in 2004, however, his tenure came to an end after he was mysteriously found dead after the Inzamam-ul-Haq-led Men in Green's shocking defeat to Ireland during the 2007 ODI World Cup in West Indies. Further, Younis added that he regrets not sitting with Woolmer that night as per their custom.

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Younis said on a Pakistan News Channel as quoted by PTI, "I have no doubt that if Woolmer had remained head coach, Pakistan cricket would have been very different today, and he would have taken it to great heights. I was very close to Bob (Woolmer) and it was our daily routine to sit down together after a match or nets to discuss cricket. Unfortunately, the night he passed away, we didn't sit together as we had lost to Ireland."

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He further mentioned, "I was also out for a duck (versus Ireland) and was very upset with myself. So, I went to my room and locked myself in. The next day, I didn't see him at breakfast and later we learnt about his death."

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Younis revealed that the entire Pakistan team was moved to a different island following Woolmer’s death. After their early exit from the ODI WC, they were interrogated for three days. In this regard, the 2009 T20 World Cup-winning captain Younis pointed out that authorities should’ve handled the situation better, calling it 'torturous' for the team. 

He added, "It was like torture for us there. While I fully understand the responsibilities a player has to show as an ambassador of his country, it should be the other way round... authorities must also look after us."

Woolmer's death shocked the entire cricketing fraternity. It was later revealed that he passed away due to natural causes after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the government sent their own security officials to the Caribbean to work in tandem with the Jamaican police.