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Cricket coach's death labeled as `suspicious'

The death of Pakistan cricket coach Bob Woolmer is being treated as "suspicious," Jamaica's Deputy Police Commissioner Mark Shields said on Tuesday.

The 58-year-old Woolmer was found unconscious in his hotel room in Jamaica on Sunday morning and was pronounced dead after being transferred to hospital.

His death came a day after Pakistan was stunned by Ireland on Saturday, ending its chances of advancing further in the World Cup.

At a late-night news conference at the team's hotel in Kingston, Jamaica, police said they now had "sufficient information to continue a full investigation into the death of Mr. Woolmer, which we are now treating as suspicious."

The full statement read: "At the press conference earlier today we reported that the cause of death was inconclusive. Having met with the pathologist, other medical personnel and investigators there is now sufficient information to continue a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. Woolmer, which we are now treating as suspicious."

"We have already informed the Woolmer family of this development and we are also in close contact with the Pakistan team management, Cricket World Cup and International Cricket Council to ensure all parties are kept informed of the ongoing investigation," the statement said.

Asked if Jamaican police were pursuing a murder investigation, Shield said: "No, we are not saying that."

The news conference in Jamaica was called after reports emerged in Pakistan's print and electronic media of a murder plot.

Earlier on Tuesday, Shields said authorities were waiting for a comprehensive report from doctors.

Pakistan plays Zimbabwe today in its last World Cup match. After two losses, Pakistan has no chance of reaching the second round.

At an earlier news conference in Kingston, team officials asked the media not to "try and spread rumors" about Pakistani players being forced to stay in Jamaica as part of police investigations.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) head Naseem Ashraf and the organization's three-member selection committee resigned over the losses to the West Indies and Ireland and its humiliating exit from the World Cup. The resignations were submitted to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf -- the patron of the Pakistan board.

"Ashraf faxed his resignation last night and it's now up to the patron whether he accepts it or not," board spokesman Ahsan Malik said.

Pakistan's cricket program has been reeling since Saturday's loss.

"Pakistan's cricket is at the crossroads," said chief selector Wasim Bari, a former Test wicketkeeper for Pakistan.

Former Test bowlers Iqbal Qasim and Ehteshamuddin were the other members of the selection committee who also tendered their resignations.

"We had decided soon after the debacle against Ireland that we are going to resign," Bari said.

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