Bob Woolmer would have taken Pakistan to great heights: Younis Khan

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan believes Pakistan cricket would be looking ‘very different’ today had the tragic death of Bob Woolmer never happened.

Woolmer, who was appointed Pakistan head coach in 2004, tragically passed away in the midst of the 2007 50-over World Cup. The former England cricketer, 58, was found dead in his hotel room a day after Pakistan’s shocking loss at the hands of Ireland. It was later confirmed that Woolmer died of natural causes.

Speaking on national television, Younis opined that Woolmer would have taken Pakistan cricket to ‘great heights’ had he been alive and stayed in charge of the national team for a few more years.

“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,” Younis said on a Pakistani TV channel, reported News18.

The 46-year-old recalled the harrowing 24 hours where he and his teammates learned of the passing of Woolmer.

“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,” he revealed.

“I was also out for a duck 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.”

In all, Younis captained Pakistan in only 38 games across formats, with his last game as skipper coming back in 2009. The 46-year-old revealed that Woolmer’s death affected his captaincy ambitions.

“After what all happened in the World Cup, I changed my mind and I became a reluctant captain and had no long-term tenure in mind.”

He further described the days after the death of Woolmer as a torturous experience due to how much the players were neglected by authorities.

“It was like a 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.”

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