A gunman opened fire on Friday prayers at a mosque in New Zealand killing many worshippers and forcing the city of Christchurch into lockdown as police launched a massive manhunt.

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The Bangladesh cricket team also narrowly escaped the shooting and forced the cancellation of a Test match against hosts New Zealand.

The team were on a bus that was pulling up to the Al Noor mosque near Hagley Oval for Friday prayers when the shooting began. Mario Villavarayen, the team's strength and conditioning coach, said it had been a close call.

Bangladesh Cricket Board spokesman Jalal Yunus said “They are safe. But they are mentally shocked. We have asked the team to stay confined in the hotel”.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ahern has also described the terrorist attack as 'one of New Zealand's darkest days'.

The incident has shocked the sporting fraternity and many are voicing their anger since news of the attack broke. 

New Zealand had won the ODI series between the two teams. They were also leading the three-match Test series 2-0.