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Families of the victims of the Christchurch mosque attack were able to meet their cricket heroes this weekend.
The Pakistan cricket team, which is playing a test match against New Zealand at Hagley Oval this week, took a break from training on Saturday to meet with 20 family members of four Pakistani people who died in the March 15 attack 2019.
The manager of the Pakistan cricket team, Mansoor Rana, said team members had been through the pain of terrorism and wanted to comfort the Christchurch families and show solidarity.
“We can’t fill their loss and space, but we wanted to bring smiles to their faces again.”
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Family members were invited to a training session, but bad weather forced them into the Oval, where team members acknowledged New Zealand’s response to the massacre.
“The way they opposed became an example for the whole world.
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Pakistani fast bowlers Mohammed Abbas and Naseem Shah speak with Abdullah Naeem, right, who lost his father Naeem Shaheed in the March 15 mosque attacks.
“The world must learn that terrorism has no religion or ethnicity, this must be condemned and eradicated.”
The players gave the children cricket balls and each family received a signed test cap. Management also gave families tickets to see the five days of the test.
Abdullah Naeem, who lost his father Naeem Shaheed in the attacks on the mosque, said it was “quite nice” to meet the cricketers and hear them speak.
“You could tell they were very humble about it and that they felt that connection.”
Supplied / Stuff
Pakistan’s cricket hitting coach Younis Khan, left, speaks with 20 family members of four victims of the attack on a Pakistani mosque.
He said he felt the team was behind them and kept thinking of the families, even though the attacks had occurred nearly two years ago.
“Some people forget it, but they are still concerned and loving.”
Team members also met with the Pakistani community on Friday during an event organized by the University of Canterbury’s Pakistani Students Association and the United XI cricket team, which was attended by about 100 people.
The association’s project director, Usma Azhar, said the event was worth it because it was the first time that the majority of the community had such close contact with their cricket heroes.
Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images
Azhar Ali of Pakistan dives to save his ground during the first day of the second test match of the series between New Zealand and Pakistan at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Sunday.
