Moeen Ali expresses disappointment over Naseem Shah’s absence from ‘The Hundred’

WEB DESK: Moeen Ali has voiced his disappointment over Naseem Shah’s unavailability for The Hundred tournament.

He pointed out that Naseem was their top pick and had been expected to deliver standout performances. Sadly, his absence has disrupted the team’s balance. Moeen emphasised 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 stated that it’s too early to say. However, he believes the England team has the potential to win the title.

He mentioned that the Champions Trophy, being a 50-over format, might see younger players being selected, but he would be ready if chosen. Regardless of his selection, Moeen aims to inspire future generations and feels 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 contracting with Birmingham Phoenix and requesting an NOC, the PCB denied it due to workload management concerns.

Read more: Women’s Asia Cup: Pakistan beat UAE by 10 wickets

Naseem was in the highest pay bracket for The Hundred, with a contract worth £125,000.