Remembering Unforgettable Moments of Moeen Ali’s International Cricket Career
Remembering Unforgettable Moments of Moeen Ali’s International Cricket Career
Moeen Ali's international cricket career is a tapestry of remarkable achievements, each one a testament to his skill and determination. Over a decade-long journey with England, Moeen has delivered several memorable performances that have etched his name into the annals of cricketing history. Here, we revisit five of the most unforgettable moments from his illustrious career.
155* Against Sri Lanka
In May 2016, during the second Test of a three-match series against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street, Moeen Ali delivered one of his finest Test innings. Coming in at No. 7, Moeen played a remarkable unbeaten knock of 155 from 207 balls, including 17 boundaries and 2 sixes. His innings were pivotal in England’s imposing total of 498/9, laying a solid foundation for a dominant performance. Sri Lanka’s response was lackluster as they were bowled out for 101 in their first innings. Despite a valiant effort in their second innings, the visitors fell short, enabling England to secure a nine-wicket victory.
Ashes 2015
The 2015 Ashes series is celebrated for England’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Australia, with Moeen Ali playing a central role in this triumph. Demonstrating his exceptional all-round abilities, Moeen accumulated 293 runs and claimed 12 wickets across the five-match series. His performance in the opening Test was especially remarkable; he scored a vital 77 and delivered impressive match figures of 5-130. Moeen's contributions were crucial to England's success, highlighting his skill with both bat and ball and his capability to excel under pressure in crucial moments.
Hat-Trick at The Oval against South Africa
In July 2017, Moeen Ali pulled off a hat-trick at The Oval that was as rare as a unicorn sighting! He became the first to achieve this at the venue and the first England spinner to do so in 79 years. With a trio of dismissals—Elgar, Rabada, and Morkel—Moeen's spin turned South Africa’s resistance into a game of dominoes. He ended the series as the top wicket-taker with 25 wickets at a jaw-dropping average of 15.64, proving he could turn a cricket ball and an entire series on its head.
The 10 Wicket Haul at Lord’s
In the same month as his hat-trick, Moeen Ali achieved another career milestone – his first and only ten-wicket haul in Test cricket. During the Test against South Africa at Lord’s, Moeen was instrumental in England's victory. After a strong performance in the first innings with 4-59, Moeen came to the fore in the second innings, taking 6-53. His efforts were pivotal in dismissing South Africa for 119 and securing a 211-run victory. This match showcased Moeen’s capability to turn games around with his spin, further solidifying his status as a match-winner.
World Cup Glory: 2019 and 2022
Moeen Ali’s World Cup adventures are like a cricketing superhero saga! In the 2019 ODI World Cup, he was the unsung hero, chipping in 75 runs and five wickets to help England snag their first-ever ODI World Cup title, basically making him the secret sauce in their winning recipe. Fast forward to the 2022 T20 World Cup, and Moeen was back at it, adding 57 runs in five innings and playing a key role in England’s T20 triumph.