"Being a British Asian and a British Muslim" - Nasser Hussain explains why Moeen Ali is an important figure off the field
Veteran commentator Nasser Hussain believes Moeen Ali is an influential figure as the first Muslim and Asian-origin cricketer to captain England in T20Is. The former England captain believes Moeen, along with Adil Rashid, have set an example for the upcoming generation that various avenues exist for their community other than the conventional ones.
Moeen, who made his international debut in 2014, announced his retirement from international cricket on Sunday. The spin-bowling all-rounder has featured in 68 Tests, 138 ODIs, and 92 T20Is and has mostly played as a floater across formats.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Hussain believes the veteran will have been a popular member of the England dressing room and has been the trendsetter for his community. He elaborated:
"You can imagine his WhatsApp this morning going berserk because he was a very popular member of any side he has played in. He was an entertainer but also a really important figure off the field being a British Asian and a British Muslim. Moeen was a role model for his community. He spoke about when he was growing up, parents might want you to become a doctor or something, but he and Adil Rashid have shown that there are so many different avenues for people from that community."
Moeen Ali was notably part of England's 2019 World Cup-winning squad and the victorious 2022 T20 World Cup squad. The selectors had picked him for England's defence of their 50-over title last year and the 20-over crown in 2024, but the all-rounder failed to live up to the billing.
As a result, the veteran did not make it to the squad for the upcoming white-ball leg against Australia.
"He is someone who can just make the whole changing room feel relaxed" - Stuart Broad on Moeen Ali
Stuart Broad, who retired last year, recalled their U17 days when he first shared the dressing room with Moeen and described him as a character.
He said:
"He is one of my favourite ever teammates. I first shared a dressing room with him for an Under-17s XI against Bangladesh Under-19s and got on great there. He just has a wonderful nature about him. He is someone who can just make the whole changing room feel relaxed, he has got a great humour to him. He cared deeply about paying for England and winning games of cricket."
The 37-year-old will continue to play franchise cricket for a few more years.