Women's team shaken by attack

The Bangladesh women's football team were shocked at the news of mass shootings at two mosques in New Zealand yesterday which, according to www.stuff.co.nz, claimed the lives of at least 49 people while the Bangladesh cricket team only narrowly escaped the incident.

The Bangladesh team, in Biratnagar, Nepal to participate in the SAFF Women's Championship, came to know about the attack through a private Bangladeshi channel available at the team hotel. The news left the women in red and green quite shaken as a few national crickets were at the mosque in Christchurch, where shooting took place, to offer Jumma prayers.

“It is a really sorrowful incident for all and we are hurt to hear it. We heard that there had been lack of security for the Bangladesh team. However, it is good news for us that no Bangladeshi cricketers got wounded,” Bangladesh women's team captain Sabina Khatun told the Daily Star.

“We are also aboard to play an international tournament but we are not worried about the incident because we are given enough security here,” said the 25-year-old striker, whose side are gearing up to play against hosts Nepal today.

Team manager Amirul Islam Babu echoed the sentiment, saying that the hosts provided enough security to the team and that is why they did not request further precautions after hearing of the New Zealand mosque attacks.

“The hosts are well aware of security and providing tight security. So there is no worry after the incident in New Zealand but the players are a bit hurt after hearing the incident. The cricketers narrowly escaped the mass shooting and we prayed to all mighty Allah to save our cricketers,” said Babu during the women's team practice session at the Armed Police Force ground in Biratnagar yesterday.