England all-rounder Moeen Ali has officially retired from international cricket at the age of 37. The Birmingham-born cricketer, known for his left-handed batting and right-arm spin, revealed his decision in an interview with the Daily Mail.
Ali, who made his debut for England in 2014, played 68 Test matches, 138 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 92 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). His last appearance for England was in June 2024.
“I’m 37 and wasn’t selected for this month’s Australia series,” Ali said. “I’ve played a lot for England, and it’s time for the next generation. It felt like the right moment to step away. I’ve done my part.”
Ali made history as the first Asian-origin cricketer to captain England in T20Is. Throughout his career, he scored five centuries in Tests and three in ODIs, and took 366 wickets across all formats. He was part of England’s squads that won the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup.
One of Ali’s notable achievements includes holding the England record for the fastest half-century in T20Is, reaching fifty in just 16 balls against South Africa in 2022. Reflecting on his career, he said, “When you first play for England, you don’t know how many games you’ll get. To have played nearly 300… those were the best days of my life.”
Looking ahead, Ali plans to continue playing franchise cricket and aims to pursue coaching. “I could try to play for England again, but I know it’s time for the team to evolve. I’m being real with myself.”
With his retirement, Ali leaves behind a legacy of pride, leadership, and exceptional achievements in international cricket.
