2007 Cricket World Cup of history for pakistan
The 2007 Cricket World Cup was one of the biggest upsets in
World Cup history when Pakistan was knocked out of the competition in a shock
defeat to Ireland, who were playing in their first competition. Pakistan,
needing to win to qualify for the next stage after losing to the West Indies in
their opening match, were put into bat by Ireland. They lost wickets regularly
and only 4 batsmen scored double figures. In the end they were bowled out by
the Irish for 132 runs. The Irish went on to win the match, after Niall O'Brien
scored 72 runs. This meant that Pakistan had been knocked out during the first
round for the second consecutive World Cup.
2007 Cricket World Cup of history for pakistan |
[22][23][24] Tragedy struck the team
when coach Bob Woolmer died one day later on 18 March 2007 in a hospital in
Kingston, Jamaica. Jamaican police spokesman, Karl Angell, reported on 23 March
2007 that, "Mr Woolmer's death was due to asphyxiation as a result of
manual strangulation" and that, "Mr Woolmer's death is now being
treated by the Jamaica police as a case of murder."[25] Assistant coach
Mushtaq Ahmed acted as temporary coach for the team's final group game of the
tournament.[26] Subsequent to his team's defeat and the death of Woolmer,
Inzamam-ul-Haq announced his resignation as captain of the team and his
retirement from one-day cricket, stating that he would continue to take part in
Test cricket but not as captain.[27] Shoaib Malik was announced as his
successor.[28] Following his return to the squad, Salman Butt was appointed as
vice-captain until December 2007.[29]
On 23 March 2007, Pakistan players and officials were
questioned by Jamaican police and submitted DNA samples along with
fingerprints, as part of the routine enquiries in the investigation into
Woolmer's murder.[30] Three days after leaving the West Indies for Pakistan,
via London, the Pakistan team were ruled out as suspects. The deputy
commissioner of Jamaican police. Mark Shields, the detective in charge of the
investigation, announced, "It's fair to say they are now being treated as
witnesses." "I have got no evidence to suggest it was anybody in the
squad."[31] A memorial service was held in Sacred Heart Church, Lahore,
for Bob Woolmer on 1 April 2007. Among the attendees were Pakistan players and
dignitaries, including Inzamam-ul-Haq, who was quoted as saying, "After
Woolmer's family, the Pakistan team was the most aggrieved by his
death."[32] After the World Cup ended, serious doubts were raised about
the investigation, with increasing speculation that Woolmer died of natural
causes. This has now been accepted as fact, and the case has been closed.[33]
Shahid Afridi batting against Sri Lanka in the ICC World
Twenty20 Final at Lord's in England.
On 20 April 2007, a PCB official announced that former Test
cricketer Talat Ali would act as interim coach, in addition to his rôle as team
manager, until a new coach had been appointed.[34] On 16 July 2007, Geoff
Lawson, previously head coach of New South Wales, was appointed coach of the
Pakistan for two years, becoming the third foreigner to take on the rôle.[35]
In the 2007 ICC World Twenty20, Pakistan exceeded expectations to reach the
final but ended as runners-up, after losing the final to India in a nail-biting
finish. On 25 October 2008, Intikhab Alam was named as a national coach of the
team by the PCB.
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