Adil Najam
So it turns out that Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer was not murdered after all.
Of course, some of our readers had never believed that charge in the first place. And it has now been clear for a while that this was not murder.
But seeing the news reports on the television still leaves me feeling very uncomfortable – even queasy. This raises more questions in one’s mind.
What about the way we will remember this man? In those first few days before the murder story was floated, there was an outpouring of respect for Woolmer amongst Pakistanis. I myself had suggested renaming National Stadium in his memory. But with all the murder talk we forgot about him and his career and his service as Pakistan coach. Maybe its time to remember him again?
What about the Pakistan team and players and all the emotional cost to them? Should there be an apology? By whom? This is not about a blame game. It is about bringing real closure to a very sordid affair.
And why – for God’s sake why – did this story carry so much credibility for so wrong. It not only dragged the Woolmer family through even greater pain than the immensity of the news about his death. It put a shadow not just over the Pakistan team but over Pakistan cricket. And it made the World Cup event so much less than it should have been. All all of this for what?
Perhaps the Irish should sue as well ?
There are many who still believe that Bob was murdered and I am one of them. However, it is important to cherish his memory and global contribution to cricket. He helped so many emerging nations. He didn’t let down Pakistan or anyone else but was instead at crucial moments let down by others.