England all-rounder Moeen Ali’s father Munir Ali claimed that the veteran cricketer didn't fancy carrying drinks in Australia during the upcoming Ashes 2021-21, and hence he decided to call time on his Test career.
Senior Ali was surprised by the all-rounder’s call to announce retirement from Test cricket on Monday, September 27, but felt the uncertainty of making it in the England XI in the upcoming Ashes in Australia and bio-bubble life might have forced the cricketer to take the decision.
The off-spinner represented England in 64 Tests and scored 2914 runs and took 195 wickets. He was recently featured in England’s Test series against Indian at home.
Munir Ali told inews.co.uk: “I have to admit that I never saw that coming. I would love him to have played in that final Test [against India] and got five more wickets and 86 more runs to be one of only 15 players to have achieved 3000 runs and 200 Test wickets.”
He added, “But the main reason for retiring is that Australian tour and being in a bubble, after being in a bubble all last year. At his age, I don’t think he fancied carrying the drinks.”
Hailing Moeen for his brilliance at the highest level, his proud father said the all-rounder showed the Asian community that no one can stop you if you have will and talent while saying there will not be another Moeen Ali in 10 to 15 years.
Munir added, “I don’t think there will be another Moeen Ali in 10 to 15 years. But what he has shown is that you don’t have to be from a big school. He’s a Sparkhill boy and he has shown that if you work hard, there’s an opportunity for you. He showed the Asian community that if there’s a will there’s a way.
There’s nothing stopping you providing you work hard and you have the talent. When he first started, I thought he was going to play a few games here and a few games there. I honestly didn’t think he would end up playing international cricket for eight years.”
He signed off by saying, “I’m surprised but I’m not surprised because he was always very talented. I always knew that he had the talent. I think if he had been given that number five or number six role in the England Test line-up then he would have had even more success.”
