Former English all-rounder Moeen Ali has voiced his strong support for the cricketers of Pakistan, which has raised concerns regarding the exclusion of the latter from various global franchise cricket leagues. Mooen Ali’s comments have come at a time when there have been reports of various teams in SA20, among other tournaments, showing reluctance in roping in Pakistan cricketers due to nationality issues.
Ali, whose family has roots in Pakistani Kashmir, has stated that the issue is not of a single tournament but of a larger issue in international franchise cricket.
Mooen Ali Speaks Out During The Hundred Controversy
The controversy was initially sparked by reports of the upcoming season of The Hundred. Allegedly, the franchises, especially the ones with Indian co-owners, were hesitant to pick Pakistani cricketers.
With the reports emerging, the issue has sparked a lot of debate in the cricket world. Several cricket personalities, such as the former English cricket team captain, Michael Vaughan, have come out in support of the Pakistan cricket team.
Mooen Ali has expressed his disappointment regarding the alleged stance taken by the teams, stating that cricket as a profession must be impartial and devoid of political influences.
Mooen Ali in Talks with ECB Over Inclusion Concerns
In an interview given to The Sunday Times recently, Mooen Ali revealed that he had spoken to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on the issue.
“I’ve been talking a bit to the ECB about it. The Hundred teams came out a few days ago and made a statement reaffirming their commitment to inclusivity, and I think that is a great start,” Ali was quoted as saying.
However, the issue cannot be solved only through The Hundred, and Mooen Ali also revealed that Pakistani internationals were facing difficulties in other franchise tournaments too. He used the example of Azhar Mahmood, who failed to secure a job as a coach in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL).
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“This issue is spoken about around the leagues. It’s specifically Pakistan internationals, but not just their players,” Ali revealed.
SA20 and Global Leagues Under Spotlight
The debate has now widened to encompass other tournaments as well, including the SA20, where the debate on overseas signings is ongoing. Though no such announcement has been made regarding Pakistani players being barred from the tournament, the statement from Mooen Ali has certainly put the recruitment policies of the franchises in the spotlight. The former England all-rounder feels that the tournaments like the SA20 should set an example in the right direction.
Call for South Africa to Take a Stand
Mooen Ali also called on South Africa, which has suffered decades of apartheid and discrimination, to take a moral stance on the issue. He believes that countries that have overcome the problem of systemic discrimination should be the ones to fight for equal opportunities in international sports.
“Countries like South Africa, which have been through so much discrimination, should take a stand. They know what it is like. But when money’s involved, people don’t always stand up for what is right,” Ali stated.
Ali also shared his good experiences in India, but clarified that he has always been treated well by the Indian public. He also showed empathy towards players who may be restricted from mingling during India-Pakistan matches.
Growing Support for Pakistani Cricketers
This issue continues to be a topic of debate among cricket enthusiasts. Former England skipper Michael Vaughan has also called on the ECB to ensure that The Hundred format is accessible to all cricketers from cricketing nations.
With the SA20 league expanding its global presence, the issue of inclusivity, equal opportunity, and fair selection is likely to be taken up more vigorously in the coming days.
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