I feel like I represent my religion, parents, and everything – Moeen Ali on leading England Vs Pakistan
England is set to play a seven-match T20I series against Pakistan with Moeen Ali as a leader, this is the first time the side is visiting Pakistan after 17 long years.
England all-rounder Moeen Ali will be leading his side in the first T20I against Pakistan on Tuesday as the designated skipper Jos Buttler will miss the match following an injury.
Moeen Ali, whose grandfather had moved from Pakistan to England after the Second World War, has spoken about the feelings he had about leading England’s national team in Pakistan.
England will be playing a seven-match T20I series in Pakistan, as this is the first time, they are visiting the country after 17 long years.
“Being captain, regardless of who it’s against, is a great honour,”
Moeen said ahead of the match.
“But to do it in Pakistan, coming back after so long… on top of that, having family who migrated from here back in the day, it’s amazing to lead the England side. It’s awesome,”
he added.
“I feel like I represent my religion, parents, and everything. It’s a very proud moment for me and my family, my mum and dad, everybody. Everyone who I feel I represent is very happy for me,”
he added.
Moeen Ali had always wanted to play in Pakistan but he never thought that he would be able to get the opportunity as England last toured the country back in 2005.
“I feel like I represent my religion, parents, and everything. It’s a very proud moment for me and my family, my mum and dad, everybody. Everyone who I feel I represent is very happy for me,”
he added.
“I’m somebody that wants to play cricket in every cricketing nation,”
he said.
“Pakistan and Zimbabwe were the two I’ve wanted to tour. Amazingly, we’re here: it’s a big thing for England to come to Pakistan.”
During the last tour, ECB pulled out from the Pakistan tour at the final moment which saw a lot of criticism in Pakistan and back home. Moeen Ali expressed his disappointment over that.
“Of course. You don’t know if you’re going to come the next year, because things change and all that.”
“It wasn’t just about coming over to play PSL; it was also to play cricket in Pakistan, be part of that and almost put it back on the map.”
He is still weighing in on whether to make himself available for the Test series in Pakistan which is immediately after the T20 World Cup.
“I’m not sure yet. I’ly got to speak to Baz McCullum… I want to see how this goes first.”
There is some regret in Moeen Ali regarding their stay in Pakistan as they restricted to only two five-star hotels and the journey in-between.
“Sometimes it can feel like you could be anywhere in the world,”
he says.
“You’re in the hotel and you’re stuck in it: you could be in Barbados. We’re obviously here to play cricket and win, but also for the crowds and to experience all that.
“It’s been really good so far, it’s just not easy when you can’t go out. Not mentally or anything, just more that you want to see the country as much as you can. That’s the sad thing, actually, about the tour.”
Moeen Ali has played 64 Tests for England, 121 ODIs and 55 T20Is.