The International Cricket Council has lauded the contribution of Bob Woolmer, who was appointed coach of the Pakistan national team, to the ICC High Performance Programme.
"Bob has worked with our High Performance nations over the past two-and-a-half years, helping to set up programmes that have enabled their players to improve their skill levels," ICC Chief Executive Malcolm Speed said in a statement.
"This work is a key part of the ICC Development Programme and its success has been evidenced in the improved performances of the developing nations at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003.
"On behalf of the International Cricket Council I wish him every success in his future endeavours," he said.
Woolmer's initial contract was to work with Canada, Holland, Kenya and Namibia up to the start of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003, but it was extended till after the event in order to embrace Scotland and the United Arab Emirates.
He has also been involved in the rapid increase in the amount of competitive international cricket for the developing nations, including the launch of the ICC Intercontinental Cup 2004, which brought first-class three-day cricket to 12 Associate Member countries for the first time.
The ICC will ensure that the High Performance nations continue to receive the necessary support throughout this year's ICC Intercontinental Cup, the semi-finals and final of which are in the United Arab Emirates in November, and in the build-up to next year's ICC Trophy in Ireland - the qualifying event for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007.
