Shakib's mistake is shock to system: Ashraful

Former Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful on Thursday said the ban on Shakib Al Hasan for failing to report corrupt approaches is a shock to the system and suggested that the top all-rounder be shielded from news on him to help his comeback.

Ashraful, who was indicted in a corruption case in the Bangladesh Premier League, offered support to Shakib, saying it's going to be tough 12 months for one of the most iconic players that Bangladesh have produced. Shakib has been banned for two years, one year of that being a suspended sentence.

"Our cases are different. He didn't inform the fixing approaches to authorities, while I was fully involved in match-fixing. But this is going to be a shock to the system," Ashraful who has now returned to playing first-class cricket after his five-year ban, told ESPNcricinfo.

"We love playing cricket. What Shakib is going through is hard to explain in words. I think there shouldn't be too much news about him. Dealing with so much news was hard (for me)."
"I slept through the first six months. I used to watch TV all night, and then wake up at around 2pm in the afternoon. I then performed Hajj, which gave me a new perspective."
"I always wondered whether I would be able to play again, mainly because of my age (Ashraful was 30 when he was banned). The cricket board is helping Shakib. I got support but it wasn't what Shakib will get. Also we must remember that players like Mashrafe Mortaza, who was often injured, and Shakib have always made extraordinary comebacks."
"When I played for Bangladesh, I always had half the people support me and the other half disliking me. After I confessed and apologised to everyone, around 95% were in my support. Nobody believed that I did it alone. It wasn't possible."