KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) - Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer died in hospital on Sunday after being found unconscious in his hotel room.
Pakistan lost in an upset to Ireland at the Cricket World Cup on Saturday, ending its chances of advancing in the tournament and almost ensuring the end of Woolmer's tenure as coach.
Mass outrage at the loss in Pakistan soon turned to mourning when team officials announced Woolmer, 58, died within an hour of being rushed to University Hospital in Jamaica.
Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Naseem Ashraf said Woolmer had complained of breathing difficulties before the team left for the World Cup, and was diabetic.
"He informed me this just before the team departed for the West Indies and I told him, 'Take care of yourself Bob,"' Ashraf said in a Pakistani TV broadcast, adding that Woolmer sometimes wore an oxygen mask.
Ashraf said Woolmer's death was a "loss for the cricketing world."
"He was a thorough gentleman who instilled team spirit in the team. He was a very popular personality in our cricket team."
The cause of death was not immediately released. Pakistan team spokesman Pervez Jamil Mir said an autopsy would be conducted by Jamaican authorities.
Woolmer is survived by his wife, Gill, and two sons.
International Cricket Council chief executive said Woolmer would be missed by "thousands and thousands of friends within cricket."
"We are greatly saddened by Bob Woolmer's passing," Speed said. "He was a great cricket man. His life was devoted to cricket. He played, coached and commentated on the game all of his life."
Speed said the ICC was working in conjunction with the Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistan government on a tribute to Woolmer.
Mir said the Pakistan Cricket Board was waiting for Woolmer's relatives to arrive before making any arrangements.
"The Pakistan team and management are shocked and saddened by his passing," Mir said. "We extend our deepest condolences to his family."
Woolmer, who played 19 Test matches for England, worked as a coach on three continents, including a stint for the ICC helping developing cricket nations.
Clive Lloyd, who led the West Indies to the first World Cup title in 1975 and is manager of the current team, said Woolmer "was a great guy and a really great coach."
"It's sad that such a tragedy should take place in the World Cup - I feel sad for his family."
England and Wales Cricket Board chief executive David Collier said Woolmer would be remembered fondly as a player for his 149 against Australia in 1975.
"The passing of Bob Woolmer in Jamaica today casts a sad shadow over the 2007 Cricket World Cup," he said. "Bob was one of the world's greatest coaches and as a player his innings of 149 lasting more than eight hours against (Dennis) Lillee and (Jeff) Thomson demonstrated not only how talented a player Bob was but also his pride in wearing the England sweater."
But his impact as a coach was more immense, Collier said.
"Bob will be best remembered as one of the world's leading coaches," he said. "He embraced innovation and was at the forefront of many new developments in the game."
a result of this embarrassing defeat and following the sudden death of Bob Woolmer the following day, Inzamam ul-Haq announced his resignation as captain of the team and his retirement from one-day cricket, stating that he would continue to take part in Tests but as a player only.
bummer...58 is young , but when the Lord calls U, then its time...I know little to nothing about cricket but respect all true athletes and coaches....and being of Irish descent, I would be rooting for an Irish team (if no US team), if I were to ever watch a cricket game/match or whatever its called...I prefer the US basic common sports of football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, boxing, golf, etc...all true sports are a great thing for eveybody physically and mentally..(I can't call curling and bowling a "sport")
The death of Bob is the sadest news for me in recent times. He was a great man, a legend like him deserved better results and sad to see that his last stint didn't went well at all.
Cricket in Pakistan has got a major setback and it will really take big effort and big people to take them out of this black hole.
