Bangladesh cricket team, that is currently touring New Zealand, survived an attack in a mosque in Christchurch. New Zealand and Bangladesh were slated to play the 3rd Test of the series in the city, starting from March 16.
Before the game, the entire team went to offer prayers in the Masjid Al Noor mosque. Before entering, they heard shots being fired. The team managed to escape the attack and safely and took shelter in the stadium where the 3rd Test was supposed to be played.
ESPN’s Bangladesh correspondent Mohammad Isam, who is traveling with the team, told the NZ Herald that the cricket team had just arrived at the mosque for Friday prayers when they heard shots fired.
“They [the Bangladesh players] were just outside the mosque about to get off from the bus and go into the mosque when they heard shooting and a lot of people running out and they saw someone wounded in front of them.
“And seeing that, they didn’t get off the bus. About 10 minutes later they ran out of the bus and ran through Hagley Park and into the Hagley Oval.”
Bangladesh’s cricketers Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim tweeted after the incident and informed about their safety.
Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim’s Tweets after Mosque Attack in New Zealand
Entire team got saved from active shooters!!! Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers #christchurchMosqueAttack
— Tamim Iqbal Khan (@TamimOfficial28) March 15, 2019
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
Alhamdulillah Allah save us today while shooting in Christchurch in the mosque…we r extremely lucky…never want to see this things happen again….pray for us
— Mushfiqur Rahim (@mushfiqur15) March 15, 2019
As per reports, a gunman opened fire in the mosque, 40 people have been killed, and at least 20 injured,. The local police is searching for the shooter. Also, the city has been placed on lockdown and the citizens have been asked not to wander in the streets.
There were also reports of another mosque being attacked. The 3rd Test has been canceled in the wake of the attacks.
