Pakistan's top Test run-scorer and former captain, Younis Khan, believes that if the late national head coach Bob Woolmer were still alive, Pakistan cricket would have achieved remarkable success. Woolmer was found dead in his Jamaican hotel room just hours after Pakistan's shocking loss to Ireland and their subsequent exit from the 2007 Cricket World Cup.
Younis expressed his conviction, stating that with Woolmer as head coach, Pakistan cricket would have reached great heights. Reflecting on his close relationship with Woolmer, Younis recounted their daily post-match discussions. He recalled that on the night of Woolmer's death, they did not meet as usual because of the loss to Ireland, which had left Younis deeply upset after being dismissed for a duck. He chose to isolate himself in his room, only to learn the next morning about Woolmer's passing.
The former captain also conveyed his disappointment with the lack of support from cricket authorities during the investigation following Woolmer's death. He mentioned that the stress and turmoil experienced by the players in the West Indies influenced his decision against a long-term captaincy of Pakistan. Although Woolmer had prepared him mentally to lead the team in all formats after the World Cup, the traumatic events led Younis to become a reluctant captain without a long-term vision.
Woolmer's death was later determined to be due to natural causes, following a collaborative investigation by Pakistani security officials and the Jamaican police. Younis shared that after Woolmer's death, the players were relocated to another island and subjected to three days of intense questioning by local authorities, which he described as torturous.
While acknowledging the responsibilities of players as ambassadors of their country, Younis emphasised that authorities also have a duty to support and protect the players.