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Bob Woolmer on Thursday denied a rift within the team management but did admit thinking about resigning as Pakistan coach following the forfeiture of the fourth Test against England at The Oval.

“I have remained solidly behind the Pakistan team and captain (Inzamam-ul-Haq) throughout this whole affair,” Woolmer said in an interview following a report in a British newspaper that he was considering to resign following the crisis triggered by ball tampering allegations against his team.

The report suggested that the Englishman was not happy at being part of the controversy and wanted to quit also because he was not getting along with team manager Zaheer Abbas as well as Inzamam.

But Woolmer denied any conflict with any fellow team player or official. “I have always been a 100 percent behind my team,” said Woolmer who began his stint as Pakistan coach in the summer of 2004.

Woolmer admitted that the umpires’ decision to hand Pakistan a five-run penalty over ball tampering and later their decision to award the fourth Test to England left him fuming. It was soon after these incidents that he thought about stepping down as Pakistan coach.

“I did think about resigning as I am 58 and at an age where I do not need these things in my career and life. At that moment I was very down but now I believe it is important for me to stay strong and back my team,” he told.

According to insiders in the Pakistani camp, Woolmer changed his mind after a meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Shaharyar Khan. The PCB chief, who has stretched his trip of England following the ball tampering crisis, assured any problems Woolmer had would be sorted out. He stressed the need for unity within the Pakistani camp at a time when the tourists were facing an uncertain situation.

Shaharyar later told this correspondent that everything was fine and the team officials had no issues with each other. “The (Pakistan) players and officials are all united and working to resolve the crisis,” he said.
Source:The News

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