Bangladesh stalwart Tamim Iqbal believes it will take some for his team-mates to recover from the shock of their narrow escape from death during the horrific Christchurch mosque attacks.
The terrorist attack by a lone gunman on two Christchurch mosques on Friday claimed 49 lives with Bangladesh’s players having a close brush.
17 members of the Bangladesh test squad including Tamim were on the way to Masjid al Noor mosque in a bus when the attack unfolded. The team’s bus has just arrived at the mosque when the terror attack began before it was turned around sensing danger.
Following the attacks, the third and final Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh which was scheduled to begin on Saturday was called off. After some swift arrangements, the tourists headed back to Dhaka on Saturday.
“It will certainly take some time for us to get out of it (the state of shock) after the experience we had here,” Tamim was quoted as saying by AFP.
“It is better that we are returning… because everyone’s family is worried. I just hope after returning home we can overcome it (trauma) with the passing of time.”
Bangladesh Team players were snapped at Christchurch Airport before heading back to Dhaka today (Saturday). pic.twitter.com/KvpsimqHCB
— Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 16, 2019
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina called for better security protocols for any future overseas tours undertaken by the national team in the wake of the incident.
“In future, whenever we send our cricket team abroad we will do that after examining and reviewing the security matters of the host countries,” the Bangladesh Prime Minister was quoted as saying by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).
Her views were echoed by Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) chief executive Nizamudin Chowdhury.
“Unfortunate we did not see any visible security protocol,” Chowdhury told reporters in Dhaka.
“We are not sure what their security system is. But when two countries sign a memorandum of understanding at national level security is always mentioned.
“We will set up a minimum security standard for future. Once it is assured only then we will go, otherwise not.”
