Woolmer retired before murder

Bob Woolmer © Getty Images

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf received an email by Bob Woolmer in the hours before his murder confirming his retirement from international coaching.

Woolmer had decided to stand down after Pakistan were eliminated from the World Cup following a shock defeat to Ireland.

He was found unconscious in his room at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, last Sunday and local police have since launched a murder investigation.

Ashraf said: “It was the email of a man who had been deeply hurt. He said that the boys gave it their best to the last minute.

“In that email he had shared some of his thoughts. He told me that he was hanging up his boots and retiring from international coaching.

“However, he told me that he would continue to be involved in cricket at the grassroots level.”

Ashraf also revealed Woolmer’s email contained recommendations, which he had mentioned to the PCB previously, as to how the sport could move forward in Pakistan.

Nasim Ashraf said Woolmer no longer wanted to coach at the highest level © Getty Images

“He was not going to do international work any more. At the end he had some suggestions for Pakistan cricket that are very valid and that he has shared with those in the team before,” Ashraf told Sky News.

“When I took over about five months ago the policy of the old board was that continuity was important, there were no major shake-ups or changes before the World Cup, and once the World Cup was over we will revamp and bring in a very, proper scientific structure for cricket in Pakistan.

“The India defeat has shown that talent alone is not enough in the international game; it has become highly scientific, very competitive and you need the mental resilience, adaptability, physical fitness and a proper structure in place to compete at international level. Bob was a major part of that in giving me his views.”

Ashraf also dismissed talk of a power struggle between Woolmer and Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and insisted the spirit in the squad was excellent.

“The relationship was very cordial,” he said. “Bob was a gentleman and he had his own gentle way of making his point. He was never coarse and he never said a strong word.

“He and the captain had developed a good working relationship. Of course the captain was the prime leader - on the ground and in the field he would make the decisions.

Ashraf refuted suggestions of a dispute between the coach and captain © Getty Images

“But Bob had developed a good relationship with all the boys, from the most junior in that team to the captain.

“I saw a mature professional at work who was handling his job, which was a tough job in a very difficult situation, in a very very harmonious way and a very professional way. I really admired him for that and I told him so.”

Ashraf categorically refuted reports of an argument on the team bus after the defeat to Ireland.

“Everybody was subdued, they were depressed,” he added. “Everyone went to their rooms and most people didn’t even eat dinner that night. Bob retired to his room as well.

“There are no facts to insinuate this and it is terribly hurtful, not just to Mrs Woolmer but also to the boys.

"They have been through a tremendous trauma and I would urge people to respect their privacy and let the truth come out.”

Jamaican police re-questioned Inzamam and coach Mushtaq Ahmed before allowing the team to leave for London on Saturday night.

The police are studying CCTV footage in a bid to help them identify Woolmer’s killer or killers.