Younis Khan: Pakistan Cricket Would Have Flourished with Bob Woolmer

Younis Khan, Pakistan's legendary batsman and former captain, has expressed his belief that the nation's cricket would have achieved remarkable success if the late head coach, Bob Woolmer, had lived longer. Woolmer's untimely demise in 2007 left a profound void in Pakistan's cricketing landscape, and Younis' words suggest that his presence could have steered the team towards greater heights.

Woolmer's impact on Pakistan's cricket during his tenure as head coach was undeniable. He instilled a sense of discipline and professionalism within the team, and his tactical acumen helped Pakistan achieve some of its most memorable victories. Younis, who was a member of the squad in 2007, recalled Woolmer's daily routine of sitting down with players after matches to discuss cricket.

The tragic passing of Woolmer and the subsequent stress endured by the players during their time in the West Indies led Younis to reconsider his decision to captain Pakistan for an extended period. He felt that the authorities should have provided more assistance to the team during that challenging period.

Following the incident, the Pakistan Cricket Board and the government dispatched their own security personnel to the Caribbean to collaborate with the Jamaican police. The investigation ultimately concluded that Woolmer's death was due to natural causes.

Younis revealed that Woolmer had been preparing him mentally to assume the role of Pakistan's captain across all formats following the World Cup. However, after what happened in the tournament, Younis changed his mind and became a reluctant captain with no long-term tenure in mind.

The team was relocated to a different island after Woolmer's passing, where they were interrogated by local authorities for three days. Younis described this experience as "torture" and emphasized that while players have responsibilities as ambassadors of their country, authorities must also look after their well-being.

Tags: #BobWoolmer, #PakistanCricket, #YounisKhan, #CricketCoach, #WorldCup2007