PAKISTAN's FORMER cricket team captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has criticised the security arrangements for the ICC Cricket World Cup. He said the event should have been halted after the death of Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer, according to a Reuter's report out of Pakistan.

The tournament is being held in the Caribbean for the first time'

"If this terrible tragedy had occurred in any other country, if such a security lapse had taken place anywhere else they would stop the World Cup," the report quoted the former captain as saying.

Woolmer, 58, died on Sunday, March 18, the day after Pakistan crashed out of the Cricket World Cup after being beaten by minnows Ireland in their Group D clash at Sabina Park, Kingston.

A post-mortem on Mr. Woolmer's body found that he died of asphyxiation caused by manual strangulation.

Police have since launched a murder investigation into the circumstances which led to his death.

No motive yet

However, investigators are yet to come up with a motive or suspect, even though a coroner's inquest has been ordered.

Meanwhile, the ICC, in responding to the former Pakistan captain, said Inzaman-ul-Haq is free to express his views.

Brian Murgatroyd, the ICC's media and communications manager, said he was aware of the statements made by the former Pakistan captain. "Inzaman is entitled to his opinion," he said.

Police probe

"From our perspective, it is simple. There is a police investigation taking place and we will let that police investigation takes its course."

"None of us is party to know what is taking place there. As a result it would be wrong for us to make any comment," Mr. Murgatroyd added.

When the police on March 27 announced that Mr. Woolmer was strangled, the ICC Chief Executive Officer, Malcolm Speed, said the show would go on.

"The matches will continue. We have had a huge shock; we will continue to support the Jamaican police in any way possible," Mr. Speed told journalist then.

He added then that many persons had been preparing for the tournament for years and it would have been a blow to turn back at this stage.