Members of the West Indies and Zimbabwe teams, along with match officials, observe a minute's silence prior to the start of their ICC Cricket World Cup match at Sabina Park yesterday morning in honour of the late Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach who died on Sunday. - Dellmar

Kingston, Jamaica (CMC):

Outgoing Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has apologised to his fellow countrymen for his team's disappointing performance at Cricket World Cup 2007.

After announcing his resignation as captain and his retirement from one-day internationals with effect at the end of the World Cup, the 37-year-old Inzamam expressed regret on Sunday night over Pakistan's failure to qualify for the Super Eights stage of the tournament.

"I want to make it clear that I want to apologise to all my fans in Pakistan. We did everything possible that we could, but I can only say sorry that I've let you down, my fans, my people in Pakistan," Inzamam told reporters at the Pegasus hotel.

"We gave our best shot, but I'm afraid the result didn't come out as we planned. All I can say is that I'm deeply sorry to my country."

Pakistan crashed out of the World Cup after a surprise three-wicket defeat to International Cricket Council associate members Ireland on Saturday at Sabina Park. It followed a 54-run loss against West Indies in the opening match of the tournament last Tuesday.

Apology

"We wanted to do the best. My team wanted to do the best," Inzamam said. "We are human beings and we can only give our best. We know we have let down the people. We know we have disappointed them, but we still have to continue and carry on."

Inzamam's announcement came hours after the sudden death of coach Bob Woolmer that left the cricket world in a state of shock.

Pakistan will dedicate their final match of the tournament against Zimbabwe tomorrow to the memory of Woolmer, who became team coach in 2004.

"He was more than a coach to all of us. We've had a very good three years. There was a lot of attachment," Inzamam said.

"He had been working very hard with us. It's indeed a great loss. He was absolutely wonderful with me and the rest of the players."

Post-mortem for Bob today

Daraine Luton, Staff Reporter

A post-mortem will be conducted on the body of Pakistan's cricket coach Robert Andrew 'Bob' Woolmer today.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields told The Gleaner last evening that Woolmer's wife, Gill, gave instructions to go ahead with the post-mortem but she will not be coming. She left the Pakistan team in charge of ensuring the procedure takes place.

DCP Shields said also that the task of ensuring that his body is expatriated to South Africa too has been left up to the team.

death

Woolmer, 58, died Sunday 18 hours after Pakistan crashed out of the World Cup after being beaten by Ireland in their group D encounter. He was found unconscious in his Jamaica Pegasus hotel room by staffers after team members made an alert when he did not emerge from his room that morning.

As is the case in all sudden deaths, the police are treating it as a homicide untilproven otherwise.

Pakistan media manager P.J. Mir said yesterday that there was blood in the room, Woolmer's mouth was open and their were signs of vomit and diarrhoea.

One of the island's top investigative team, the Major Investigation Task Force (MIT), was called in to investigate.

DSP Shields said there was no signs of tablets to suggest an overdose, and added that the police will await the result of today's post-mortem to determine their next move.

More tributes

(CMC):

CWC 2007's organisers and the West Indies Cricket Board have extended their sympathies to Bob Woolmer's family and the Pakistan cricket fraternity, following the 58-year-old's death Sunday.

In a short statement issued Sunday, Chris Dehring, CEO and managing director of CWC 2007, and WICB president, Ken Gordon said: "On behalf of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007 Inc., we wish to express our deepest sympathies to Mr. Woolmer's wife and sons.

"Our thoughts are also with his colleagues and members of the Pakistan cricket team. His sudden passing is a great shock to us all and he will be missed."