Pakistan call for Woolmer apology

Pakistan's World Cup media manager PJ Mir has demanded an apology from the Jamaican police, as speculation grows that officers will announce coach Bob Woolmer was not murdered.

Mir insists he always believed the 58-year-old former England Test player died of natural causes, and accused the police of marring the World Cup with the murder investigation. Mir said the team assisted the police investigation, but that "never in a million years could I even think anyone in the Pakistan team could have been or would have been involved in that".

He told Sky Sports News: "I think they should make a public apology, and right now I'm on my way into Pakistan where I will be recommending to the chairman of the board to take necessary legal action unless the Jamaican police formally apologise to the Pakistan team, to the Zimbabwean team, the Irish team and the West Indian team, who were all staying in the hotel."

He added: "There was so much insinuation, so much name throwing, finger pointing and all of that, and I'm afraid the Jamaican police and the pathologist will be held responsible for marring the World Cup, for creating mistrust and distrust among the cricketing fraternity."

Mir expressed his sympathy for Woolmer's widow Gill and her family.

He said: "The whole family must have gone through hell because what we have seen was a very traumatic experience as a team.

"It was more so for Gill and her sons, who have gone through all kinds of stories.

"For all of them, mentally, at least they can know Bob died a natural death rather than mixing it up and miring it with all kinds of concoctions and theories.

"I really feel very sad for the Woolmer family and really sad for all concerned. This has been a very sad experience as far as cricket is concerned."

Jamaican police said on Thursday that they were analysing new information on the death of Woolmer, but refused to comment on reports he was not murdered.