Friday, 29 Mar, 2024

Sports

Saved by the skin of the teeth

17 |
Update: 2019-03-17 16:18:00
Saved by the skin of the teeth

Bangladesh Cricket escaped very narrowly a catastrophic disaster at Christchurch Noor Mosque on Friday 15 March 2019. The traumatized team members have returned to the great relief of the countrymen. 

However, the world remains shocked and awed by the cool headed brutal killing of the fanatics. 50 devotees embraced martyrdom and 50 more are recovering from injury. The muazzin called for the Jummah prayer, many devotees were already inside the mosque when the gunman entering the mosque unleashed sporadic shooting gunning down the devotees in prayers.

Bangladesh team members were approaching the mosque a bit late after attending the captain’s press meet. They first witnessed a person walking out from the mosque with blood oozing out of his wound. One lady from a car advised the Bangladesh team not proceeding informing them of ongoing shooting incident. 

For a while bemused players stood stunned and then taking a cut short route proceeded towards team bus through the play ground. Completely traumatized Bangladesh team had to witness the brutal manslaughter from hand shaking distance. 

All the Bangladeshi players escaped unhurt but 50 devotees lost lives. The incident blotted dark image on the peace and tranquility of Christchurch and New Zealand. It brought New Zealand and New Zealanders to shame. Prime Minister of New Zealand, cricket heroes of the past mentioned the black Friday as the darkest day of its history. 

Four suspected persons including a woman had been arrested. The main criminal is an Australian living in NSW. World leaders around the glove have condemned the incident terming it a crime against humanity. The third and final test of the series had been cancelled and the team has already returned home in the first available opportunity on Saturday night.

As Australian I felt embarrassed and beg apology to the victim families and peace loving citizens of the world.

World cricket in the past witnessed another horror incident at Lahore in Pakistan when a terror group attacked a bus carrying Sri Lankan national players to the ground. Pakistan for almost a decade now is a forbidden country for international cricket. We are unsure at this stage foreseeing what might be the fate of international cricket after such horror incident.

Every single life is precious. We strongly condemn such inhuman incident and request the leaders of the world coming to a consensus on eradicating and rooting out terrorism. 

For Bangladesh it must act as awakening. It could not be anything worse after a terrible experience with cricket loosing all matches of the tour they had to experience such a horror incident. 

Bangladesh arranges flawless VVIP security arrangement for any touring team. But Bangladesh gets very loose security treatment on tour. Before the start of any bilateral series countries however sign MOU of security protocol. 

All ICC full member countries visiting Bangladesh sent their own security contingents to review the security arrangements. It is after the clearance from this team the tour is given green signal. 

But in case of Bangladesh tours such vigilance was never observed. Mere signing of MOU with counterpart ICC member countries is treated enough. Players and officials allegedly care less for security. 

Team accepts hospitality of NRB groups and relatives. Security is often compromised. Hope such situation is never repeated again and bubble tight security protocol is complied with.

Sports and cricket lover Prime Minister of Bangladesh has announced from now on Cricket teams would no longer be sent on tour without assessing security threats and ensuring bubble tight security for the players and officials. 

At the same time BCB must have its own professional unit for security preview, review and assessment. Every appointment and engagement in BCB must be done through proper background check of individuals. We are sure ICC would take all measures for ensuring security of all participating teams in ICC world cup. 

Bangladesh will appear in a tri nation series involving Ireland and West Indies prior to world cup. A well organized Bangladesh security contingent must visit all venues and engage with security personnel there. A security manager having past proven track record must be engaged. Bangladeshis in UK have political divide. At no circumstance security protocol should be compromised.

The narrow escape of Bangladesh team must act as eye opener. Enough must be enough for us. We feel sorry and sad for all the victims. Let Allah grant each of them Jannah.

Just for a few minutes Bangladesh team was saved by the skin of the teeth. Let this be the one and only such incident.  We must follow the maxim that “Prevention Is Better Than Cure.”

BDST: 1550 HRS, MAR 17, 2019
RS

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