"World Is In Bad Place": Cricket fraternity reacts to NZ shooting

Bangladesh and New Zealand were scheduled to play the third Test of the series at Christchurch on Saturday but Cricket New Zealand cancelled the Test citing the security concern. Now, the visitors are expected to back home.

Hyderabad: Reports of mass shooting at a Christchurch mosque broke out on Friday morning, nearly three minutes away from the Hagley Oval, rocked the world of cricket. The shocking incident has drawn ire from cricketers across the world. From former Indian batsman, VVS Laxman to New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham took Twitter to condemn the open firing at Al Noor mosque of Chriostchurch.

• "For so long I’ve watched world events from afar and naively thought we were somehow different in our little corner of the world, somehow safe. Today is a terrible day. Disgusted and saddened doesn’t begin to describe it"- Jimmy Neesham
• "Very shocked to hear about the shooting at Christchurch in New Zealand. Thoughts with the affected families"- VVS Laxman
• "There is no place that's safe for humanity because human beings are the biggest threat to this planet. #christchurchshooting" - Ravichandran Ashwin
• "Shocked to hear about the shootings in Christchurch. My heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the families who have lost loved ones. Thoughts prayers and love with all the people affected by this tragic incident. Wishing the injured a full and speedy recovery " - Kumar Sangakkara
• "And now ‘sleepy’ NewZealand gets first touch of terror..Christchurch is shocked by serious twin attack on Mosques..B’Desh Cricketers get mighty escape..what’s the World coming up to..?!! Are humans safe anywhere..?!! Kiwis wouldn’t harm a fly...but..?!!!" - Bishan Singh Bedi

Alongside Bangladesh, Australia U-19 Women's team is also set to return home. They were supposed to play a one-dayer in Lincoln on Saturday and a T20 here on Sunday.

Explaining the situation of the sight Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) spokesperson Jalan Yusus said of the players were bussed out of their vehicle and were about to go inside the Al Noor mosque to offer their Friday prayers. Suddenly, they got to know about the buzz of shooting inside the mosque. Players eventually turned back and rushed to their vehicle to vacate the place.

Bangladesh Cricket Board said, "They are safe. But they are mentally shocked. We have asked the team to stay confined in the hotel."