Pakistan players ashamed by early World Cup exit

KARACHI, March 28 (Reuters) Pakistan's cricketers are ashamed of their early exit from the World Cup and the death of coach Bob Woolmer was a body blow, players said on their return home today.

There were no protests or insulting banners awaiting Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Sami and Danish Kaneria at a crowded Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, but the players apologised to the nation for their poor display.

''We are ashamed of our performances and gutted because of our coach Bob Woolmer's death,'' wicketkeeper Akmal told reporters at the airport.

''We can only apologise to our people for letting them down.'' Senior players Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf returned home on Monday while captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and others are due to reach Lahore later in the day from London.

The 58-year-old Woolmer, who had coached Pakistan since 2004, was found unconscious in his hotel room in Kingston, Jamaica on March 18 and pronounced dead later in hospital -- a day after Pakistan lost to Ireland and went out of the Cup.

Jamaican police say he was murdered and are investigating.

''No one can understand the pressure we were under because of our defeat to Ireland and Woolmer's death,'' said allrounder Afridi.

The team had wanted to do well in the tournament and were confident of playing in the Super Eights, but two bad days against the West Indies and Ireland put them out of contention, he aded.

Pakistan's early World Cup exit has seen Inzamam-ul-Haq retire from one-day internationals and resign as captain while the Pakistan Cricket Board chairman and selectors have also resigned.

''Our team is much better than what we played in the World Cup. Losing to Ireland was a big shock,'' said Kaneria.

''It was like living a nightmare.'' REUTERS DH DS1701