Woolmer had tendered resignation

Cricket : Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Nasim Ashraf received an email by Bob Woolmer in the hours before his murder confirming…

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

PCB chief 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.

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"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.

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

"Everybody was subdued, they were depressed. 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 see if it will help them identify Woolmer's killer or killers.