“I am officially unretired”- Moeen Ali set to return to red ball cricket

England all rounder Moeen Ali has said he’s officially unretired from test cricket, given the team’s forthcoming tour of Pakistan, following a chat with the newly appointed coach Brendon McCullum. 

Moeen’s change in thought comes less than a year since he called time on his Test career last September with 2914 runs and 195 wickets under his name in his 64 match stint over the last seven years. 

Moeen revealed he had a brief chat with McCullum during the ongoing third day’s play between England and New Zealand on Sunday. 

"I spoke to McCullum this morning, and we did discuss Pakistan this winter. The door is always open, and yeah, I suppose I am officially unretired," Mooen said.

"He is a very difficult person to say no to. I find that very, very hard. He is very convincing and to be honest I would love to play under him and Ben Stokes. They are both very aggressive and I think I would suit their cricket a bit more.

"At the time I said I was retired I felt like I was done. I felt really tired playing cricket."

However, with McCullum in control, Moeen said it was hard to resist the temptation especially considering his family links in Pakistan. 

"When, or if, Baz McCullum wants me, I'll definitely play in Pakistan," Moeen had told told BBC Test Match Special on Saturday (June 11). "I have played Pakistan Super League out there a few years ago but it's not the same.

"To travel with an England side there having family background from that part of the world will be amazing. It would be a historic event because of England not touring there for so many years. I know the support and love you can get out there, they love cricket. It's really something that's very appealing for sure."