Christchurch terror attack scar yet to heal: NZ Under-19 team postpones Bangladesh tour

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) on Sunday said New Zealand’s Under-19 team that was supposed to tour the Asian nation has postponed it as they are yet to overcome the recent terror attack that shook the island-nation. Fifty people were killed after a white extremist indiscriminately fired in two mosques in Christchurch on March 15 at the time of Friday prayers.

Bangladesh national team was near the spot when the tragedy happened and the players considered themselves lucky for having reached a few minutes late. The remaining Test match in Christchurch was cancelled following the tragedy and the team returned home.

The Black Caps colts were scheduled to reach Bangladesh on April 10 to take part in a five-game youth ODI series but recently New Zealand Cricket requested BCB that they are unable to take part in the series as per the schedule as the scars of the deadly terror attack is yet to heal. New Zealand earned the world’s sympathy following the attack and its Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, was particularly praised for empathetic stand towards the Muslim community.

“The home series against New Zealand is postponed for the time being as they informed us that they are not coming as per schedule,’’ cricfrenzy.com cited BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury as telling reporters.

Concern of parents understandable, says BCB

“It looks they are yet to recover from the shock due to the terror attack. It is understood that the parents might have some reservations as the series was expected played between young cricketers,” he said.

The series was scheduled to kick off on April 16 with the matches supposed to be played at Sheikh Kamal International Cricket Stadium in Cox’s Bazar and Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chattogram.

The attack in Christchurch had brought alive the memories of Lahore 2009. It was also in March a decade back that the national cricket team of Sri Lanka came under a serious terror attack while touring Pakistan. The players had a narrow escape and had to be airlifted from the 22 yards in an unprecedented development. Pakistan lost their right to host international matches after that incident.

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