Bangladesh cricketers had horrific experiences when they were very close to the Christchurch mosque shootings in March 2019. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has ensured to provide stronger security for all upcoming home series.
Bangladesh national cricket team performed disappointedly during their last tour in New Zealand in February-March 2019. But the entire situation changed after the Christchurch mosque shootings on 15th March 2019. The Bangladesh cricketers had to run to save their lives while around 51 people lost their lives. Bangladesh cricketers were luckily unharmed due to their late arrival at one of the mosques in Christchurch.
Bangladesh still had to play one Test at Hegley Oval (Christchurch), which had the schedule to start on 16th March. But much expectedly, the boards cancelled that Test match. Soon, the Bangladesh cricketers flew back to the home. But it is not easy to come out from that terrifying experience.
Security has been strengthened – New Zealand Cricket
Since then, New Zealand hasn’t organised an international cricket match yet. Now, the Bangladesh U19 cricket team is travelling to New Zealand for the five-match Youth ODI series. The NZC has ensured to provide stronger security arrangement for every forthcoming home series.
NZC public affairs manager Richard Boock said according to stuff.co.nz, “It [security] has been strengthened, not for this under-19 tour in isolation but for all inbound tours. David White [NZC chief executive] said after the Christchurch attack that this would change everything, and certainly, that’s been the experience so far. We’re giving this a lot of attention.”
New Zealand U19 and Bangladesh U19 will play the five-match Youth ODI series from 29th September to 13th October 2019.
After that Christchurch mosque shootings incident, England will be the first senior team to tour New Zealand. England will play five T20Is and two Tests against the hosts New Zealand between 1st November and 3rd December 2019.