NZ minister hopes Tigers will feel safe in future visits

New Zealand's sports minister Grant Robertson hoped that Bangladesh's cricketers will feel safe to return to New Zealand after the team had narrowly survived an attack during a shooting incident at a Christchurch mosque.

During an award ceremony evening organised by New Zealand Cricket, the sports minister informed that he had written to the Zahid Ahsan Russel, the youth and sports minister of Bangladesh, expressing relief at the cricketers' safe return.

The Bangladesh team are scheduled to visit New Zealand again for a T20 series in 2020 and Grant said the Tigers will be welcomed back with open arms.

"Violence and hatred shown by one individual must not be allowed to destroy the friendship and respect that the New Zealand and Bangladesh cricket teams and our nations have long shared," he wrote.

"My hope is that in time the players and supporters will feel safe enough to return to New Zealand and I know that they know that they will be welcomed with open arms."

Captain Kane Williamson reiterated that cricket had become insignificant following the events of last Friday where 50 people were killed.

"It had been a nice competitive series for a month and for things to end the way it did, cricket as a whole became insignificant.

"There was an opposition team we'd spent time with on the park who have pretty much witnessed what went on and felt threatened in a place you want anybody to feel comfortable. To end like that, it was such a shame and I know all the guys felt terrible."

"It becomes so much about your neighbour, and just the love and care you send for the people that are involved and the victims and the victims' families in Christchurch and the Muslim community not only there in Christchurch but all-around New Zealand."

"I do think it comes down to the good human qualities that are so important," a poignant Williamson said.