Dhaka, Mar 17 (UNB) — Bangladesh team has returned to Bangladesh after an unexpected end of New Zealand tour. Mahmudullah Riyad, the Bangladesh Test captain during the absence of Shakib Al Hasan, said upon the return to the country that they were lucky enough to escape the attack in a mosque of Christchurch in New Zealand. 

Bangladesh team reached the country at 10:45 (BST) on Saturday night. The hundreds of the media workers were present at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport at that time. 

“When we were in the room after backing from the spot of attack, we are thinking that how lucky we are,” Mahmudullah said while giving his short speech to the media at the airport. 

“I want to thank Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) and Papon Bhai (Nazmul Hasan, BCB president) to bring us back home at the earliest time. At the same time, I want to ask the nation to pray for us so we can get rid of this memory,” Mahmudullah further said. 

Within hours of the attack, BCB and New Zealand cricket called the third and last Test of the series off after a joint discussion. And at the same time, BCB decided to bring the team back home as early as possible.

Nazmul, the BCB president, was also present at the airport along with Mahbub Anam, BCB vice-president, and Jalal Yunus- the chairman of BCB media committee.

“The team went through a tough situation. Right after the incident, we have talked with them, all of us were waiting for their coming home,” Nazmul said to the media. 

“A moment ago, Riyad said to me that they had a sleepless night. So it was a journey of 22 hours for them. All of them are tired. Some of them are mentally broken down. So here are nothing more to talk to them. I said to them to go home and spend some days on their own,” Nazmul also said. 

“I suggested them not to think about the game right now. They should spend time with their families at this point. If anyone needs any help we are here always to do so,” BCB president added while talking to the media at the airport. 

Bangladesh went to New Zealand to play three-match ODI and Test series. The last match of Test series was supposed to take the field from March 16. However, due to the current situation, the last Test was cancelled. BCB chief executive officer, Nizamuddin Chowdhury, has said to the media that they will discuss New Zealand cricket about the cancelled Test whether it will be host in the future or not. 

“Our main priority after the attack was to bring our national team back home safely. So we did not get a situation to talk about something else. We will discuss the future of the cancelled Test later,” Nizamuddin on Saturday told the media.