Narrow escape for Bangladesh team There’s shooting here, please save us: Tamim Iqbal

BRUSH WITH DEATH Cricketers reach mosque as shooting is on; final Test vs hosts Kiwis called off

CHRISTCHURCH: 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.”

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,” said Yunus.

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. NEWDELHI: Bangladesh cricketers had a narrow escape after almost walking into Christchurch’s Al Noor mosque as a gunman shooting at worshippers gathered for Friday afternoon prayers. The players had reached the nearby Hagley Oval for training early in the afternoon but had decided to attend Friday prayers first and left once skipper Mahmudullah finished his pre-match news conference.

Espncricinfo’s Bangladesh correspondent Mohammad Isam narrated the fear and panic that gripped the players when they realised they had landed in the middle of the shooting. Isam describes the confusion of the players turning into horror when they realised they were plain lucky.

“Seventeen members of the touring party, including manager Khaled Mashud, team analyst Shrinivas Chandrasekaran and masseur Md Sohel were accompanying the players,” Asam wrote i n hi s bl og on Espncricinfo.

Isam said he rushed to the mosque after batsman Tamim Iqbal called his mobile in panic. “There’s shooting here, please save us,” he quoted Tamim as saying. “I first think he is playing a prank but he hangs up and calls again - this time his voice starts to crack. He says I should call the police as there’s a shooting going on inside the mosque where they are about to enter.”

Isam and two other Bangladesh journalists take a lift as they rush to the mosque and see the road blocked by a police car. Approaching the parked Bangladesh team bus, they see the players running away from it with a body lying not too far away.

The players crossed to the side of Hagley Park and get directions for the ground, a 15-minute walk. They start to run in panic but are advised to only walk briskly. The players again are spread out but are told to stick closer.

“It’s no more than a kilometre away but it is the longest few minutes of my life,” writes Isam, describing how a senior player broke down holding him.

The players soon reach Hagley Oval and run inside and are taken into the dressing room. They were later escorted to the team hotel, which was cordoned off. One of our great country’s “Darkest” days. My family’s thoughts are with our nation and our Muslim brothers and sisters. Much love @New Zealand instagram.com/p/ Bvbss_ahvkl/…

Brendon Mccullum, former New Zealand captain

Horrific news out of Christchurch! Absolutely devastating. Thoughts and prayers go out to all affected at this extremely sad time

Michael Clarke, former Australia skipper

Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by the shocking situation in Christchurch. A joint decision between NZC and the @Bcbtigers has been made to cancel the Hagley Oval

Test. Again Both teams and support staff groups are safe. Cricket New Zealand statement

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.

Virat Kohli, India captain

Heartbreaking news coming out from New Zealand. What’s happened to humanity.

Rohit Sharma, India batsman

Christchurch, we stand with you during this time. Our thoughts and sympathies are with everyone affected by today’s tragedy. Stay strong. Kia Kaha.

All Blacks, NZ rugby team

I first think he is playing a prank but he calls again, this time his voice starts to crack. He says I should call police.