Members of Bangladeshi players were going to mosque to perform their Jummah prayers at Christchurch’s Masjid Al Noor. However as they were about to enter the mosque, a lady warned them that a gun attack was going on inside the mosque. Being panicked upon hearing the news and the sound of fire, they players entered inside a bus and laid down on the floor.
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An international cricket match between New Zealand and Bangladesh has been cancelled after players from the visiting team narrowly avoided a mass shooting at a mosque in Christchurch on Friday.
‘Entire team got saved from active shooters!’: Bangladesh players left shaken as it is revealed they narrowly avoided mass Christchurch shooting when they were on their way to the mosque to pray before killing started.
Third Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh cancelled after mosque shooting in Christchurch left 49 worshippers dead. Bangladesh team were on their way to Al Noor Mosque when shooting started. The players and staff were left shaken after almost getting caught up in shooting. New Zealand cricket chiefs said there was a ‘joint decision’ to call off the Test
New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White said there had been a ‘joint decision’ to call off the third test, which had been scheduled to start on Saturday in Christchurch.
‘On behalf of New Zealand Cricket heartfelt condolences to those affected,’ White said. ‘I’ve spoken to my counterpart at Bangladesh cricket – we agree it’s inappropriate to play cricket at this time. Both teams are deeply affected.
“They are all safe but they remain distraught. They can’t forget what happened just in front of their eyes,” Masud told the BSS today.
The cricketers are set to leave New Zealand in the first available flight after both Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and New Zealand Cricket Board (BCB) jointly decided to call off the third Test which was scheduled to start tomorrow (Saturday).
“Their family members are very worried about their safety. They are calling them repeatedly but I want to assure all of them they are safe and sound,” he said.
The attack was described by Prime Minister Jacinda Arden as “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”.
Members of Bangladeshi players were going to mosque to perform their Jummah prayers at Christchurch’s Masjid Al Noor. However as they were about to enter the mosque, a lady warned them that a gun attack was going on inside the mosque. Being panicked upon hearing the news and the sound of fire, they players entered inside a bus and laid down on the floor.
They returned to the cricket ground and advised to stay in the stadium premises. Later they were escorted back to the team hotel. Players took their twitter handle to share the experience of the vicious attack.
Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal wrote on Twitter: “Entire team got saved from active shooters!!! Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers.”
“Alhamdulillah, Allah save us today while shooting in Christchurch in the mosque,” tweeted another player, Mushfiqur Rahim. “We are extremely lucky…never want to see this things happen again….pray for us.”