Woolmer was to announce retirement after World Cup

KARACHI: Slain Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer had decided to announce his retirement from coaching job after the 2007 World Cup to settle down in Cape Town.

Nasim Ashraf, who tendered his resignation as Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman after the team's debacle in the ongoing World Cup, revealed that Woolmer had sent him an e-mail on the morning of his murder on Sunday.

"On the morning after we lost to Ireland, Woolmer had sent me an e-mail (dated March 18) in which he also expressed his great disappointment over the stunning defeat. But he still believed his boys tried their best and fought till the last to make the most of the match," Ashraf was quoted as saying by 'The News'.

Woolmer's e-mail said: "I would like to praise my association with the Pakistan team but now I would like to announce my retirement after the World Cup to live the rest of my life in Cape Town (South Africa)."

Ashraf said according to the e-mail, its transmission time was 6 pm last Sunday.

"As I was on the tour of interior Sindh from Sunday, I could not check my e-mail and it was only today (Thursday) that I saw the message from Woolmer," he said.

On his resignation, Ashraf said he was not shy of accepting the responsibility of team's poor show at the World Cup but people "made personal attacks on me".

"I have no lust for the job and I will not like others to make personal remarks at me. Professionally, I am open to criticism," he said.

"I will be ready to continue the job if the President asked me for it," he added.