- Moeen Ali was disappointed by Naseem Shah’s absence.
- Naseem was Birmingham Phoenix’s top pick.
- Moeen is unsure about playing in Champions Trophy.
Moeen Ali has voiced his disappointment over Naseem Shah’s absence from The Hundred tournament.
He pointed out that Naseem was their top pick and was expected to deliver outstanding performances. Unfortunately, his absence has disrupted the team’s balance. Moeen stressed that players should be free to play cricket if they have no other commitments.
When asked about his potential participation in the Champions Trophy in Pakistan next year, Moeen mentioned that it is too early to predict. However, he is confident that the England team has the potential to win the title.
He noted that the Champions Trophy, being a 50-over format, might see the selection of younger players, but he would be ready if chosen. Regardless of his selection, Moeen aims to inspire future generations, feeling fulfilled if they can motivate even a few young players.
Moeen also shared a personal note about his son, Abu Bakr, who is a passionate 10-year-old cricketer. Abu Bakr, a left-handed wicketkeeper-batsman, dreams of playing for England one day.
It’s worth noting that Naseem Shah was not granted an NOC (No Objection Certificate) by the PCB for The Hundred League.
Despite having a contract with Birmingham Phoenix and requesting an NOC, the PCB denied it due to workload management concerns.
Naseem was in the most expensive category for The Hundred, with a contract valued at £125,000.