JAMAICAN police have launched a murder inquiry after a second post mortem on the former Kent cricketer and Pakistan Test coach revealed he had been strangled.

The 58-year-old, who played for the county from 1968-1984, was found unconscious in his fifth-floor room at The Pegasus Hotel on Sunday and later declared dead at the University Hospital in Kingston.

His death came only hours after Pakistan had crashed out of the competition following their shock three-wicket defeat to Ireland.

At a press conference in the Caribbean this morning, examiners announced that: "The pathologist's report states that Mr Woolmer’s death was due to asphyxia as a result of manual strangulation.

"Steps are being taken to conclude these investigations, which include collecting statements from all persons who, in the opinion of the police, can be of assistance to these investigations."

In confirming there were no signs of forced entry into the hotel room, the Deputy Commissioner for Jamaica Police, Mark Shields, said: “Bob was a large man and therefore it would have taken some significant force to subdue him and cause strangulation.

“It could be one or more people involved in this murder. At this stage we don’t know how many people were in the room with him.â€

Police also confirmed that the entire Pakistan squad had been interviewed and finger-printed as a matter of course.

Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council Malcolm Speed, in announcing the tournament would go on, said: “Matches have continued since Sunday and we were pleased Pakistan played its last game against Zimbabwe and did so in a very fine way.

“We’ve had a huge shock and we will continue to support the Jamaica Police in any way possible. It's a challenge for the game to be strong and finish the World Cup in good spirit.

"Perhaps it will be a measure of the game and its resolve as to how well we can complete this World Cup in view of this shock.â€