The members of the Bangladesh cricket team ‘escaped’ safely on Friday after a shooting incident that took place in Christchurch mosque at Canterbury in New Zealand.
The attack was targeted by a shooter and he had livestreamed it.
The Bangladesh cricket players and the support staff were preparing for the Third Test of a series against New Zealand which was supposed to begin on Saturday, but they were forced to flee after dozens of shots were heard being fired at Al Noor Mosque located in central Christchurch, says news.com.au.
After the incident, the Bangladesh cricket team on its official Twitter handle on Friday stated that the cricketers of the team and the support staff are safe.
According to a statement on Twitter, the Bangladesh cricketers and support staff who are “safe”, have returned to their hotel.
The New Zealand cricket team also released a statement on Twitter saying both sides were safe and were in discussions about the third Test.
Bangladesh Team Manager Khaled Mashud Pilot speaks to the media following the incident of shooting in Christchurch. Blackcaps (NZC) and the Bangladesh Cricket Bord : Tigers (BCB) has been made to cancel the Hagley Oval Test pic.twitter.com/CH80ohDFMO
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 15, 2019
Bangladesh team manager Khaled Mashud Pilot also spoke to the the media following the incident of shooting in Christchurch.
Police urged the residents near Christchurch’s Hagley Park — where the third Test was scheduled to be played — not to venture out as casualties emerge.
There are reports of another shooting incident at Christchurch’s Linwood Masjid Mosque too.
NZ Herald reports that the third Test match has been called off following the shooting incident.
New Zealand Cricket CEO David White also confirmed calling off of the third test as a result of the shooting attack.
The report quoted David White as saying: “We’ve cancelled the game. I’ve spoken to my counterpart at Bangladesh cricket — we agree it’s inappropriate to play cricket at this time.”
Expressing shock at the incident, White said: “Both teams are deeply affected.”
He added, “As a country we’ll have to look at (security of visiting teams). It seemed to be a safe haven. I’m sure all of New Zealand will take a look at their approach.”
Mohammad Isam, a Bangladeshi journalist for Cricinfo with the team, while uploading a video of the Bangladesh team on his Twitter handle stated: “Bangladesh team escaped from a mosque near Hagley Park where there were active shooters. They ran back through Hagley Park back to the Oval.”
Bangladesh team escaped from a mosque near Hagley Park where there were active shooters. They ran back through Hagley Park back to the Oval. pic.twitter.com/VtkqSrljjV
— Mohammad Isam (@Isam84) March 15, 2019
Stating that the Bangladesh cricketers are not in a mental state to play after the incident, Bangladesh cricket team captain Shakib Al Hasan on his Twitter handle stated: “I don’t think they’re in a mental state to play cricket at all. I think they want to go back home as soon as possible. I’m speaking from experience, I’m speaking from what I’ve heard.”
I have nothing to say about the active shooting in New Zealand that took place all I want to say is I’m grateful to almighty Allah for saving my brothers my teammates! Alhamdulillah
— Shakib Al Hasan (@Sah75official) March 15, 2019
The Bangladesh cricket team further tweeted that nineteen members including all the 15 players of the Bangladesh national team and supporting staff are expected to reach Dhaka at 10.40 pm on Saturday).
Nineteen members including all the 15 players of the Bangladesh National Team and supporting stuff are expected to reach Dhaka at 22h40 tomorrow (Saturday).
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 15, 2019
Tamim Iqbal, the opening batsman of the Bangladesh team also tweeted: “Entire team got saved from active shooters!!! Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers.”