DHAKA: Bangladesh's tour of New Zealand has been called off following an attack on a Christchurch mosque in which several people have been killed. 

The shooting happened just minutes away from Hagley Oval, where the test was set to be held, and the Bangladesh cricket team narrowly avoided the incident, having to flee the scene.

The team had just arrived at the Al Noor Mosque for Friday prayer when a gunman opened fire, with video showing several Bangladeshi players and media escaping the scene.

New Zealand Cricket CEO David White confirmed that the third test has been called off as a result of the attack.

"On behalf of NZC - heartfelt condolences to those affected.

"We've cancelled the game. I've spoken to my counterpart at Bangladesh cricket - we agree it's inappropriate to play cricket at this time."

White said New Zealand Cricket were shocked and appalled by what had unfolded, reports nzherald.co.nz

"Both teams are deeply affected.

"As a country we'll have to look at [security of visiting teams]. It seemed to be a safe haven. I'm sure all of New Zealand will take a look at their approach."

Mohammad Isam, a Bangladeshi journalist for Cricinfo who was on the scene, said that all the players are safe, but want to fly back to Bangladesh.

"I don't think they're in a mental state to play cricket at all. I think they want to go back home as soon as possible. I'm speaking from experience, I'm speaking from what I've heard.

Isam described the scenes.

"When that was happening, one of the players had called me to contact the police. I'm new in Christchurch, I didn't know who to contact. I just got on someone's car and just we went near that place and it was very traumatic.

"It was very traumatic there and people were running out from that mosque presumably, and the Bangladesh players were coming out. They (the players) are in terrible and severe mental [distress], they're not feeling well.

"They were just outside the mosque about to get off from the bus and go into the mosque when they heard shooting and a lot of people running out and they saw someone wounded in front of them.

"And seeing that, they didn't get off the bus. About ten minutes later they ran out of the bus and ran through Hagley Park and into the Hagley Oval."

Bangladesh Cricket confirmed that all their team members are now safely back in the team hotel.

BDST: 1035 HRS, Mar 15, 2019
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