Bangladesh united by New Zealand terror attack, says coach Steve Rhodes

The Tigers squad were almost caught up in the Christchurch shooting, where two mosques were attacked in March

Bangladesh have become a "brotherhood" since the squad was perilously close to being caught up in the shooting of two mosques in Christchurch in March.

The Tigers squad were arriving at the Al Noor mosque when shots were fired, forcing them to return to the team bus before they sought refuge at the nearby Hagley Oval.

Many of the squad were deeply affected by the events, with several seeking councilling to deal with what they experienced.

On Wednesday, they face New Zealand in the World Cup for the first time since the remainder of their Test series was cancelled following the attack.

Coach Steve Rhodes has paid tribute to the way in which the squad have dealt with the ordeal and believes they deserve plenty of credit for refocusing their minds on cricket.

"Well, I have got so much respect for the players; the way that they have handled themselves after that event; the way that they have got themselves through it all," said Rhodes, whose side won their opening tournament game against South Africa on Sunday by 21 runs.

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"They are just celebrating Eid now, the end of Ramadan. That's been tough for many of the boys. 

"It helps, in many ways, the Christchurch awful day and the shootings, it seems to have -- they have got some sort of brotherhood there now. They have shared with other Muslims who sadly perished that day.

"But the experience they went through, they went through together on that coach, and I think it somehow gelled them and I think that they have actually got solace from each other. 

"They have tried to help each other through it, and you know, I've got a lot of respect and admiration for the way they have pulled through. 

^{Two Christchurch mosques were targetted in March}

"Because you know, there's a lot of smiley faces at the moment, and going back to that day in Christchurch, I was thinking, how do we get a team back together after?

"But they have done it. It's not been anything special from me. I've just tried to carry on as normal because I thought that was the right thing to do, and the support they have given each other is the main thing. 

"I think it would have been a big mistake to make such a big thing of it.

"I think that they knew what they needed to do and I've been there just to carry on as normal and as I said before, I've got a lot of respect for them for how they got through it all."

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