New Zealand hopes Bangladesh cricket team will return for future tours

The shootings in two mosques in Christchurch in New Zealand exactly a week ago saw the Bangladesh national team cutting its tour short and returning home. In fact, the Bangladesh players were on their way to one of the mosques for prayers when the tragedy unfolded and got saved because they were yet to enter the religious centre for the Friday prayers. The team returned home as the third Test scheduled at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch got cancelled. It did not affect the series result though since the Black Caps had already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead.

The tragedy that saw deaths of 50 people has left New Zealand in a deep shock and it banned assault rifles in the wake of it. The country’s political leadership was terribly embarrassed by the incident since New Zealand is known to be a peaceful country. Its sports minister Grant Robertson has even expressed hopes that the Bangladesh team and its supporters will soon return to New Zealand for playing future tours. Bangladesh are yet to win a Test match in New Zealand so far.

“Violence and hatred shown by one individual must not be allowed to destroy the friendship and respect that the New Zealand and Bangladesh cricket teams and our nations have long shared. My hope is that in time the players and supporters will feel safe enough to return to New Zealand and I know that they will be welcomed with open arms,” Robertson was quoted as saying at an event by Times Now.

“There is hope to be found in dark days and cricket and sport will once again play a critical role in drawing together our country at this time.”

Bangladesh to tour NZ next in October 2020

Bangladesh had a poor outing in New Zealand as they were whacked 0-3 in a three-match ODI series and then lost the first two Tests by an innings and 52 runs and innings and 12 runs, respectively. The Asian side also did not get the service of their ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan who is their Test and T20I skipper.

Bangladesh’s next tour of New Zealand is scheduled in October 2020 when the two sides will play in a T20I series ahead of the T20 World Cup.

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