Inzamam and Woolmer face uncertain future by AFP

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Player:	Inzamam-ul-Haq
Event:	ICC World Cup 2006/07

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DateLine: 18th March 2007

 

Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and coach Bob Woolmer have refused to speculate about their future, after Pakistan crashed out of the World Cup following a stunning defeat to Ireland.

 

Pakistan conceded their second straight defeat in the competition, after they lost by 54 runs in the World Cup opener against hosts West Indies last Tuesday.

 

"I have not had time to think about my future," said Inzamam after his team's shock three-wicket defeat.

 

"I have other things on my mind right now. There are bound to be changes, but I do not know what they might be."

 

Pakistan's defeat has drawn fiery criticism at home, with reports suggesting that Pakistan Cricket Board chief Nasim Ashraf will soon be out of a job.

 

Inzamam, playing in his fifth World Cup and a member of the side that won the 1992 title, admitted his side is likely to receive a lukewarm welcome on their return home.

 

"As far as a reception at home is concerned, I don't think we will have a welcome reception," he said.

 

Inzamam also praised Ireland for playing so competitively and silencing the critics that felt ICC Associate sides had no place in the World Cup.

 

"You are always under a lot of pressure when playing these countries because they really have nothing to lose," he said.

 

"But I feel these countries should be coming out and playing in order to spread cricket all over the world."

 

Woolmer indicated his side's performance ranked pretty highly as one of the worse days of his life as a coach.

 

"I think the worse was at Edgbaston in 1999 (when he was South Africa's coach in a losing semi-final to Australia), but I think it is important that I remember however, that this is a game, and in a game, things like this happen," he said.

 

"As for my future as a coach, this is what I do best, and I am not going to, therefore, throw away coaching.

 

"Doing it internationally, it takes a toll on you - the endless travelling and the non-stop living out of hotels."

 

Woolmer had no excuses to make about his side's performance in the competition.

 

"I think we have a good team in this World Cup, but we have not played as well as we should have, or could have.

 

"Quite frankly, a lot of credit must be given to Ireland, and a lot of credit should be given to the ICC's High Performance Programme, and we deserve to take stick because we have not performed.

 

"This is a game of cricket, and everyone should try to remember this. We are sorry that we have performed in the way that we have. We didn't mean to do it, but all credit to Ireland and good luck to them."

 

Woolmer admitted the Sabina Park pitch was difficult, but Ireland bowled well, and Pakistan batted poorly.

 

"I thought it was a pitch that evened out the sides, and winning the toss was an important factor," he said after seeing his team dismissed for a meagre 132.

 

"I still think we should have scored between 190 and 200 runs against Ireland's attack, we worked really hard in the field - and nobody can say anything differently - and had hoped to bowl them out for 90, but Niall O'Brien (72) batted well for Ireland and they reached the target."

 

Pakistan face Zimbabwe on Wednesday in their final group match before a long plane ride home.

(Article: Copyright © 2007 AFP)