Woolmer's son welcomes Pakistan tribute

Karachi:

The son of former Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer said on Thursday captain Younus Khan's decision to dedicate the World Twenty20 title to his late father was "very sweet and lovely".

In a letter to the Pakistan Cricket Board, Dale Woolmer thanked the Pakistan captain for acknowledging his father's contribution to Pakistani cricket, saying the gesture had touched the whole family.

Bob Woolmer, a former England batsman, was found unconscious in his hotel room in Jamaica a day after Pakistan's shock defeat to minnows Ireland in the 50-over World Cup in the Caribbean in 2007.

He was rushed to hospital but later died. The Jamaican police initially treated it as murder and investigated Pakistan team members before declaring it a natural death. Bob Woolmer coached the team from June 2004 until his death in March 2007.

Dale Woolmer recalled his father's association with the Pakistan team as "magnificent."

"He used to say that Pakistan can be the best team if they believe in themselves and I visited Pakistan on several occasions and found the people of the country as great and hospitable," he wrote in his letter.

Dale Woolmer said he wished foreign teams would return to play in Pakistan in the future. The country was stripped of its World Cup 2011 matches after a militant assault on the Sri Lankan team in Lahore in March this year.

"It is very important for Pakistan cricket that foreign teams return to the country. I hope the matter is solved in the near future," he wrote.

Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets at the weekend to win the World Twenty20 title in England.