The Bangladesh cricket team's tour of New Zealand was Friday called off after the players had a narrow escape from a shooting attack on a mosque here, described as an "unprecedented act of violence" by the country's Prime Minister Jacinda Arden.
The Bangladesh team, which was about to enter the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Hagley Park to offer prayers, escaped unscathed but the prevailing situation led to the authorities calling off the third and final Test match starting Saturday. The match was the tour finale for the visitors
Though the players have returned safely back to the hotel but they were suffering from mental trauma and will fly out of the island nation at earliest.
According to local media, more than 40 people have lost their lives in the attack.
"All members of the Bangladesh Cricket Team in Christchurch, New Zealand are safely back in the hotel following the incident of shooting in the city. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is in constant contact with the players and team management," the BCB said in a statement on its Twitter page.
Bangladesh cricketer Tamim Iqbal were one of the first to tweet out on Friday morning.
Along with Bangladeshi cricketers, many from the cricketing fraternity condemned the ghastly attack and prayed for the safety of the cricketers.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli also tweeted out after the attack.
“Shocking and tragic. My heart goes out to the ones affected by this cowardly act at Christchurch. Thoughts with the Bangladesh team as well, stay safe,” wrote on his Twitter account.
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