Bangladesh cricketers '3-4' minutes from massacre - Capital Sports
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Headlines

Bangladesh cricketers ‘3-4’ minutes from massacre

At least 49 people died in shootings at two mosques during Friday prayers in what appeared to be the worst attack against Muslims in a Western country (AFP Photo/Tessa BURROWS)

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, Mar 15 – Bangladesh’s Test cricketers were just a few minutes from being caught up in Friday’s massacre in New Zealand when they arrived at a Christchurch mosque as shooting began, a team spokesman said.

In a chilling account, Khaled Mashud described how most of the Bangladeshi team drove up to the Masjid al Noor in a bus just as the attack got underway.

At least 49 people died in attacks on two mosques during Friday prayers in what appeared to be the worst assault on Muslims in a Western country.

“We were very close, we could see the mosque. We were maximum 50 yards away. I would say we are very lucky,” Mashud told reporters in Christchurch.

“If we were there three to four minutes earlier, we would have been in the mosque, massive thing might have happened.”

Mashud said about 17 Bangladeshi players and team staff on the bus watched as blood-soaked victims staggered from the building.

“It looked like video, what we usually see in a movie. From the bus we saw bloodied people coming out of the mosque,” he said.

“We were in the bus about eight to 10 minutes. We kept our heads down in the bus, in case of any firing (towards them).

“Later we realised terrorists could come out and attack us, they would get then the lot of us in the bus and big incident would happen. Then we all decided to leave the bus.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

A Bangladesh cricket reporter posted footage of grim-faced players walking briskly from the scene as a police car with sirens wailing speeded in the other direction.

– ‘Heart is hurting’ –

Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus later said the team were “shocked” but unharmed and had been ordered to stay in the team hotel.

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

Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal called the near-miss “frightening”, while team-mate Mushfiqur Rahim tweeted: “We r extremely lucky…never want to see this things happen again….pray for us.”

“Just escaped active shooters!!! Heartbeats pumping badly and panic everywhere!!” posted Bangladesh high performance analyst Shrinivas Chandrasekaran.

The third and final Test match of Bangladesh’s tour, scheduled to start in Christchurch on Saturday, was quickly scrapped.

As condolences poured in for the victims and their families, All Blacks centre Sonny Bill Williams, a devout Muslim, said his “heart is hurting” and posted an emotional video tribute.

“Inshallah (God willing) everyone who’s been killed today… you guys are all in paradise,” he said, wiping away tears as he spoke.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

“Just deeply, deeply saddened that this would happen in New Zealand.”

Record-breaking ex-All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter, a long-time player for Christchurch’s Crusaders team, tweeted: “Sending love to everyone in Christchurch right now.”

The All Blacks, New Zealand’s all-conquering rugby team and the reigning world champions, tweeted: “Christchurch, we stand with you during this time.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with everyone affected by today’s tragedy. Stay strong. Kia Kaha.”

As a minute’s silence was held at the Chiefs v Hurricanes Super Rugby game, a New Zealand derby, Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli called the killings “shocking and tragic”.

And Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, a former star cricketer, tweeted: “This reaffirms what we have always maintained: that terrorism does not have a religion.”

Advertisement

More on Capital Sports

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a treat of the world’s best football this week as the 2020-21...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – There is light at the end of the tunnel. After failed promises over the last three years since its...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Gentrix Shikangwa scored with two minutes left as Vihiga Queens sailed to the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers...

NFL

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Kenya’s history making Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in America’s National Football League (NFL), is now living...

© 2024 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved