Pakistan holds Woolmer memorial

Pakistani cricket officials have held a memorial service for murdered coach Bob Woolmer, who was found dead in his Jamaica hotel room two weeks ago.

Pakistan's cricketers, including captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, attended the hour-long service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in the city of Lahore.

Jamaican police, who say Woolmer was strangled, have accepted an offer of help with their inquiry from UK police.

Pakistan is also sending two senior police officers to the Caribbean.

In front of a large portrait of Woolmer placed next to the altar, surrounded by candles and covered with garlands of flowers, a visibly upset Inzamam said only Woolmer's family had felt the pain caused by his death more than the players.

He fought and stood by his troops and that is the mark of a great man Naseem Ashraf

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, Naseem Ashraf, described Woolmer as a great man.

"He fought and stood by his troops," he said. "And that is the mark of a great man. And the last e-mail that he sent me, just a few hours before his death, he stood by the boys. He said that they gave their 100%."

Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha said the nation had been plunged into sadness and sorrow.

About 350 people were in the congregation.

Woolmer, 58, a former England batsman, had been Pakistan coach since 2004.

He was found dead in his Kingston hotel room on 18 March, the day after the side lost to Ireland and were effectively knocked out of the Cricket World Cup.

Another memorial service will be held on Wednesday in Cape Town in South Africa, a country Woolmer had also coached, and where he lived with his family.

Theories

Jamaican deputy police chief Mark Shields said the aim of the small team of British detectives from Scotland Yard would be to review the investigation.

Detectives believe Mr Woolmer knew his killer or killers

Police are still scanning CCTV footage from the hotel and examining the hard drive of Woolmer's computer.

Detectives believe Woolmer probably knew his killer - or killers - as there were no signs of forced entry into his room and none of his belongings had been stolen.

They have said Woolmer was strangled, though Britain's Sunday Times newspaper quoted experts casting doubt on this theory, because of the apparent lack of bruising on his neck.

The paper hypothesised that he may have died of natural causes, while others speculated that he was poisoned.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Mr Shields said Woolmer may have been strangled with a piece of fabric - which could explain the lack of marks on his neck.