The third Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh has been cancelled after a mass shooting incident at a mosque in Christchurch on Wednesday morning, Reuters reported. The third game on the ongoing series between New Zealand and Bangladesh was scheduled to be played from 16 March in Christchurch.
The BCB and NZC in a joint decision decided to call off the game at the Hagley Oval. “Cricket test between Bangladesh and New Zealand cancelled after shooting in Christchurch”, Reuters tweeted.
Earlier, Bangladesh’s cricket team escaped unhurt after a shooting at a mosque in central Christchurch, an official told AFP on Friday.
Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus said most of the team were bussed to the mosque and were about to go inside 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.
Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal tweeted that it was a “frightening experience” and that there were “active shooters”. “Entire team got saved from active shooters!!!” tweeted Tamim Iqbal. “Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers.” Local media said there were multiple casualties at one mosque and that another had been evacuated.
The attack was described by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden as "one of New Zealand's darkest days".
Arden issued a strong statement condemning the attack. "There is no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme and unprecedented violence, which it is clear this act was. This is significant and I can tell you now this is and will be one of New Zealand's darkest days. I would describe it as an unprecedented act of violence, an act that has absolutely no place in New Zealand. This is not who we are.
"Certainly it has occurred at a place where people should have been expressing their religious freedom, where they should have been in a safe environment, and they have not been today. There is no place in New Zealand for such extreme acts of unprecedented violence. The people who were the subject of this attack today, New Zealand is their home, they should be safe here. The person who has perpetuated this violent act against them, they have no place in New Zealand society."