‘To err is human: Shakib made mistake for six months,’ Pilot backs Shakib

Former Bangladesh cricketer and Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) director Khaled Mashud Pilot threw his weight behind Shakib Al Hasan on Thursday amid the senior all-rounder's homecoming complications.

Speaking to the media, Pilot admitted he remains a long-time admirer of Shakib despite many unproven allegations surrounding him.

“I am a big fan of Shakib. To err is human. Maybe he made a mistake at some stage,” Pilot said.

However, the former wicketkeeper-batter expressed his personal belief that national team players should stay away from politics while representing the country.

“When a player plays for the national team, he should not be involved with any politics — this is my personal opinion,” the director stated.

“When you join a political side, there is division. But when you play for the national team, all emotions are united.”

Shakib, a former Awami League Member of Parliament, has been implicated in a murder case, an allegation the BCB grounds committee chairman openly questioned.

“As far as I know, he has been implicated in a murder case. There are many types of cases in our country. Maybe it is a wrong case,” the chairman said.

“A player like Shakib, I find it very doubtful that he would be involved in something like this.”