“After being aware of the situation, our main priority was to bring back the national team safely. It’s a relief that the team are returning home safely,” he said while talking to reporters.
The Bangladesh team were supposed to play the third and final Test of the three-match series against New Zealand from March 16 at Christchurch where the terror attacks took place. Due to the attacks, the final Test was called off after a joint discussion of both the boards.
“What happened in New Zealand was very unfortunate. New Zealand is a country where nothing happened like this in the past. But now, it has happened in New Zealand. So, it’s shocking because so many lives were lost and at the same time, we’re glad that our team are returning home safely,” Nizamuddin further said.
After the pre-match press conference of both the captains, some players of the Bangladesh team were heading to Masjid Al Noor to offer their Juma prayers. But an unknown woman prevented them from going to the mosque saying a shooting was going on there.
After that, the members of the Bangladesh team, including Mahmudullah Riyad, Tamim Iqbal and Mushfiqur Rahim, ran back to the Hagley Oval, where the last Test was scheduled to be played.
“When a team go to visit a country, it’s up to the home board to ensure their security and make sure all things are in the right place. It’s the standard practice. It has been the same for ages,” Nizamuddin said about the security arrangement for the Bangladesh team.
However, when the Bangladesh team members ran back from the spot, no security personnel were seen there. BCB CEO has addressed the situation as ‘unfortunate’. He also said BCB will ensure a particular level of security before any future tour to anywhere in the world.
“From now on, we’ll ensure a standard level of security before any future tour,” he also told the reporters.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh team left New Zealand around 12 noon on Saturday (New Zealand time), and they are expected to arrive in Dhaka at 10:45pm (BST).