"After examining the pathology report, the results showed that Mr. Woolmer died as a result of asphyxiation as a result of being strangled," said Karl Angell, the director of communications for the Jamaican police force.

The police statement followed similar reports in two Jamaican newspapers on the cause of the 58-year-old Woolmer's death on Sunday.

Woolmer died in hospital on Sunday after being found unconscious in his hotel room a day after Pakistan were knocked out of the World Cup following a shock defeat by minnows Ireland.