‘Just escaped’: Bangladesh Test cricket team flees mosque shooting

A twist of fate saved the Bangladesh Test cricket team as players had to flee after a mosque was targeted by a shooter in Christchurch.

Members of the Bangladesh cricket team “just escaped” after a Christchurch mosque was targeted by a shooter who livestreamed his attack on Friday.

Players and support staff preparing for the Third Test of a series against New Zealand beginning on Saturday were forced to flee after dozens of shots were heard being fired at Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch.

Police have urged residents near Christchurch’s Hagley Park — where the third Test was scheduled to be played — to remain indoors as casualties emerge. There are reports of multiple deaths with emergency service vehicles at the scene.

There are also reports of another shooting at Christchurch’s Linwood Masjid Mosque.

Live coverage: Christchurch in crisis

The Bangladesh cricketers and support staff are safe and have returned to their hotel, according to a statement on Twitter. The New Zealand cricket team also released a statement on Twitter saying both sides were safe and were in discussions about the third Test.

The NZ Herald reports the third Test match has been called off.

New Zealand Cricket CEO David White confirmed that the third test has been called off as a result of the attack.

“On behalf of NZC — heartfelt condolences to those affected.

“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.”

White said New Zealand Cricket were shocked and appalled by what had unfolded.

“Both teams are deeply affected,” he said. “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, said the players are safe but shaken.

“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.”

Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus said most of the team were bussed to the mosque in Christchurch and were about to go inside, but were instead asked to wait a little longer on the team bus, when the incident happened.

“They are safe. But they are mentally shocked. We have asked the team to stay confined in the hotel,” he told AFP.

Journalist Barshon Kabir, who works for Bangadesh news outlet NTV, tweeted it was a 10 second delay that saved their lives.

Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal tweeted: “Entire team got saved from active shooters!!! Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers.”

Team performance and strategic analyst Shrinivas Chandrasekaran added: “Just escaped active shooters!!! Heartbeats pumping badly and panic everywhere.”

Early reports suggested the players were inside the mosque but ESPN cricinfo correspondent Mohammad Isam said the shooting began before they exited a team bus.

Isam, who is in New Zealand covering the tour, filmed a group of players walking through nearby Hagley Park. “They made it back to Hagley Oval where they are currently locked down in their dressing room,” Isam wrote.

According to the NZ Herald, Isam has said the Bangladesh players want to leave New Zealand.

“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,” Isam said.

“Everyone is at the Hagley Park dressing room … two players are back at the hotel. They didn’t come out for the prayers so they are back at the hotel and the entire coaching staff are safe.”

Kiwi sportscaster Bryan Waddle was at Hagley Oval with the players and said some of them were “in tears”.

Strength and conditioning coach Mario Villavarayen confirmed all the players were safe.

“The players are shaken up but fine. I spoke to one of them shortly after (the incident),” he said. “They didn’t see anything but heard gunshots. They were at the ground (Hagley Oval) and just started running.

“The coaching staff were all at the hotel. The players just started running when they heard the shots. I don’t know how many (shots) there were. This happened at about 1.45pm.”

Former New Zealand player Simon Doull and retired Aussie ODI star David Hussey were among those cricketers to express their shock at the horrifying attack.

“Thoughts are with all those affected in Christchurch. #terrible #notinNZ” Doull tweeted.

Bangladesh has been touring New Zealand since early February but is so far winless, having been swept 3-0 in an ODI series and losing by an innings in the first two Tests.

West Indian cricket legend Courtney Walsh is the team’s bowling coach and tweeted a team meeting had been scheduled to discuss the next move.

Christchurch mosque shooting location map. Picture: NZ Herald

Originally published as ‘Just escaped’: Bangladesh Test cricket team flees mosque shooting