Words like post-mortem and dissection do get used in pre-match reports, but a day before Pakistan’s final game at this World Cup these medical terms don’t seem like the right cricketing metaphors for the re-assessment of failures. Anyway, with their late coach Bob Woolmer’s autopsy reports awaited and their exit from the tournament confirmed, Pakistan are in a quandary over whether to look backwards or move forward before their game against Zimbabwe. The team management, busy making hospital visits to complete various formalities and interacting with the local police, has decided to have just one practice session before the nets. News from the Pakistan camp these days range from trainer Murray Stevenson accompanying Woolmer’s body to South Africa, to the resignation of PCB chairman Nasim Ashraf a day after captain Inzamam-ul Haq. The usually important pre-game issues like players’ fitness and speculation about the playing eleven have suddenly become irrelevant. Though local authorities have denied this, there are reports emerging that say that the Pakistan team might have to stay back in Kingston after the Zimbabwe game since the police want them to be around unless the investigations about the mysterious death of their coach are over. “Only if there is something shocking coming out of the autopsy report will they be asked to stay back,” said a local police officer. The media manager of the Pakistan team, Pervez Mir, confirmed that no one from Woolmer’s family will be travelling to collect the body but didn’t comment on his team’s travel plans. In the middle of this chaos, Pakistan have to take the field against Zimbabwe, who put up a commendable show against the West Indies yesterday. Though they lost by 6 wickets, the hosts needed 47.3 overs to reach 204. It speaks highly of the young team. Zimbabwe’s win over Pakistan can see the end of the Irish fairytale as the West Indies, with four points, are already looking to Antigua where they play their Super Eight games. At the hotel, which is shared by the team here, the Pakistan players stand out. Faces become sombre and the decibel level goes down as members of the other three teams are around. It is ironic that before the tournament many called Group D the Group of Death. Woolmer autopsy Kingston: Autopsy on Bob Woolmer’s body started at 9am local time at the Kingston Public Hospital, informed Karl Angell, director of communication for the ministry of national security (the police department). It was still on at time of going to press. Information regarding the outcome will be given by the authorities to his family members and to the PCB, who in turn can inform the media.
