Bob Woolmer ... to be accorded special honour. - Reuters

ISLAMABAD (Reuters):

PRESIDENT PERVEZ Musharraf sent his condolences to the wife of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer yesterday, saying he and the country were immensely saddened and shocked by his death in Jamaica on Sunday.

Former England batsman Woolmer was found unconscious in his Kingston hotel room less than 24 hours after Pakistan's shock World Cup defeat by Ireland which knocked them out of the tournament. He was pronounced dead in hospital later that day.

Jamaican police said the 58-year-old's death was being treated as "suspicious" and a second pathologist's opinion was being sought.

Musharraf, according to a copy of his letter to Gill Woolmer released by his office, did not refer to the investigation.

Thorough professional person

"I had the pleasure of knowing Bob personally, we found him to be a thorough professional and above all an excellent human being," the Pakistani president said.

"With him at the helm of coaching affairs, Pakistan cricket team enjoyed success with unprecedented consistency and the players gelled into a winning unit," he said.

Musharraf said Woolmer would be given the Sitara-i-Imtiaz civil award in recognition of his contribution to sports.

"Pakistan cricket shall forever be indebted to his services and this nation will always remember him for the joys he brought into the lives of millions of Pakistanis," he said.

"We shall greatly miss him."