May 14th, 1948 : The very popular and much-loved Bob Woolmer was born in Kanpur

[MenInG]

 

[Major]

He was born in india?

Someone post his personal life biography plz

 

[shaz619]

Miss bob, am sure he is on Khan's mind during his retirement. Beautiful picture in the OP that.

 

[Junaids]

What a wonderful guy.

Shouldn't have done the Rebel Tour paid for by the Apartheid regime though.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Today marks the birth anniversary of Bob Woolmer, the distinguished all-rounder from England, born in 1948, having played 25 matches for England and scoring 1080 runs. Not only was he an accomplished player, but he also made his mark as a world-class coach for both the South African and Pakistani national teams who tragically died in 2007 after that famous Pakistan vs Ireland World Cup game.

Could not bear the loss against Ireland, which could be the reason for his tragic death. Happy Birthday to him

 

[Hitman]

Happy Birthday! It was a dark day. Still remember every moment how the story developed. Was even more shocked when his death was declared a homicide.
​

 

[Hitman]

What a wonderful guy.

Shouldn't have done the Rebel Tour paid for by the Apartheid regime though.

Agreed! That was shameful.

 

[shaz619]

Happy Birthday! It was a dark day. Still remember every moment how the story developed. Was even more shocked when his death was declared a homicide.
​

What a beautiful summer it was, the days when everybody was out playing sport rather than being on their tablets or smartphones despite the sun blazing.

I didn’t have a PP account then either, I was out that day in the park playing cricket with the entire neighbourhood. Anybody who was passing through would get to play and we’d split the teams etc Normally I’d get picked last because whenever I was made captain, I’d make sure I opened the batting and also the bowling with my leg spin; but with that chip on my shoulder, I made sure to run havoc and especially try and spin the ball out of the dust on an uneven ‘pitch’ more like a spot with not as many bumps, and into players crown jewels in vengeance.

The crowds would get bigger late afternoon as the local shop keepers closed early to join the day’s play and we’d normally have a break late afternoon when a local would go to the chippy and bring everybody chicken & chips with chilly/mayo, but this time he didn’t just bring us snacks, but some seriously disturbing news,

Pakistan were 66-5 against Ireland, like why would we spend the whole day inside on a bright summer’s day watching that match right? winning was guaranteed.

‘66-5? well, Pakistan don’t get paid for over time do they.’ I giggled.

But the bloke said no, it’s Pakistan that are 66-5.

I dropped my bag of chicken & chips and looked at him absolutely baffled.

‘What, Pakistan. Don’t fish around bro.’

‘It’s no joke, the chippy had the radio on, Pakistan are on the ropes bro.’

‘Is Inzi still there?’ I asked.

No.

‘What about Younis & Yousaf?’

No.

I think at this point I was on the verge of tears and in desperation; ‘What about Hafeez?’

‘He nicked if off mate’.

‘Typical’ I said.

‘Kamran Akmal is still batting.’

Then there was silence. I convinced my friend not to tell anybody else until we had finished playing, but the match kept getting interrupted because some of the rich kids who had those 2000’s flip phones were getting calls about what was going down.

Our little game lasted longer then the Pakistani innings and by the time we finished, it was all over for Pakistan.

Soon after that match, at home, I’d talk about anything but cricket. Sadly though it couldn’t be avoided. An uncle or two showed up and were like you seen the news?

‘What news?’

‘Bob Woolmer is dead.’ he said.

I started laughing.

‘I would be dead to after watching those green slime balls.’

‘No he actually is dead.’

Still laughing at this point.

‘What did Inzi strangle him or something?’

‘Turn on the news.’ he said.

So I put on either GEO or ARY, which ever one was available on Sky, and saw the headline.

I felt sick to my stomach.

It didn’t really sink in, I was looking for excuses, it had to be some prank.

But then it was the leading story on the BBC.

Can’t trust that either, has to be some conspiracy.

It was also on Sky News.

Rupert Murdoch, Zionism etc not my go to source.

It finally made it Channel 4 news though and then I was in tears.

That match with Zimbabwe hurt me so deepl; more than any of it, seeing Inzi walking through the guard of honour in tears, just summed up the feelings of every single Pakistani, the legend had retired and maybe, I had retired to from ever watching cricket again.

 

[Markhor]

What a beautiful summer it was, the days when everybody was out playing sport rather than being on their tablets or smartphones despite the sun blazing.

I didn’t have a PP account then either, I was out that day in the park playing cricket with the entire neighbourhood. Anybody who was passing through would get to play and we’d split the teams etc Normally I’d get picked last because whenever I was made captain, I’d make sure I opened the batting and also the bowling with my leg spin; but with that chip on my shoulder, I made sure to run havoc and especially try and spin the ball out of the dust on an uneven ‘pitch’ more like a spot with not as many bumps, and into players crown jewels in vengeance.

The crowds would get bigger late afternoon as the local shop keepers closed early to join the day’s play and we’d normally have a break late afternoon when a local would go to the chippy and bring everybody chicken & chips with chilly/mayo, but this time he didn’t just bring us snacks, but some seriously disturbing news,

Pakistan were 66-5 against Ireland, like why would we spend the whole day inside on a bright summer’s day watching that match right? winning was guaranteed.

‘66-5? well, Pakistan don’t get paid for over time do they.’ I giggled.

But the bloke said no, it’s Pakistan that are 66-5.

I dropped my bag of chicken & chips and looked at him absolutely baffled.

‘What, Pakistan. Don’t fish around bro.’

‘It’s no joke, the chippy had the radio on, Pakistan are on the ropes bro.’

‘Is Inzi still there?’ I asked.

No.

‘What about Younis & Yousaf?’

No.

I think at this point I was on the verge of tears and in desperation; ‘What about Hafeez?’

‘He nicked if off mate’.

‘Typical’ I said.

‘Kamran Akmal is still batting.’

Then there was silence. I convinced my friend not to tell anybody else until we had finished playing, but the match kept getting interrupted because some of the rich kids who had those 2000’s flip phones were getting calls about what was going down.

Our little game lasted longer then the Pakistani innings and by the time we finished, it was all over for Pakistan.

Soon after that match, at home, I’d talk about anything but cricket. Sadly though it couldn’t be avoided. An uncle or two showed up and were like you seen the news?

‘What news?’

‘Bob Woolmer is dead.’ he said.

I started laughing.

‘I would be dead to after watching those green slime balls.’

‘No he actually is dead.’

Still laughing at this point.

‘What did Inzi strangle him or something?’

‘Turn on the news.’ he said.

So I put on either GEO or ARY, which ever one was available on Sky, and saw the headline.

I felt sick to my stomach.

It didn’t really sink in, I was looking for excuses, it had to be some prank.

But then it was the leading story on the BBC.

Can’t trust that either, has to be some conspiracy.

It was also on Sky News.

Rupert Murdoch, Zionism etc not my go to source.

It finally made it Channel 4 news though and then I was in tears.

That match with Zimbabwe hurt me so deepl; more than any of it, seeing Inzi walking through the guard of honour in tears, just summed up the feelings of every single Pakistani, the legend had retired and maybe, I had retired to from ever watching cricket again.

POTW ! Thanks for sharing those memories.

Easily the worst Pakistan defeat I've experienced.

I watched it live on Sky and angrily switched the TV off midway before returning for Ireland's innings. We actually bowled our hearts out and there was a glimmer of hope we could've defended the total.

It wasn't to be.

 

[shaz619]

POTW ! Thanks for sharing those memories.

Easily the worst Pakistan defeat I've experienced.

I watched it live on Sky and angrily switched the TV off midway before returning for Ireland's innings. We actually bowled our hearts out and there was a glimmer of hope we could've defended the total.

It wasn't to be.

Sami especially I recall did his best, Azhar tried to, they called him from his holiday or whatever and he was in no shape to play cricket. I completely agree that it’s the worst defeat, no loss to India etc or any other KO game defeat can compare. Inzi in tears like that, I recall the commentators saying they’ve never seen anything quiet like this and to this day that was true. I don’t know if you remember, but during one of the games (Could have been the Ireland game), there was a Pakistan fan with the Chanda who ran into a pole or something during the World Cup, that lives in my head rent free.

 

[hassan918]

One of the greatest and most loved cricket coaches ever!