Moeen Ali has made a surprising return to domestic cricket by reversing his retirement decision and signing with Yorkshire for the 2026 T20 Blast. The experienced offspinning all-rounder has agreed to a Blast-only contract for the upcoming season, with an option to extend through 2027.
This announcement marks a significant addition to Yorkshire’s squad as they aim to strengthen their campaign in England’s premier domestic T20 competition. The 37-year-old brings substantial experience to Headingley, having played 420 T20 matches throughout his career.
Moeen Ali’s 2025 T20 Blast Statistics
Season Summary: 8 matches played for Warwickshire | 128 runs scored | Highest score: 34* | 7 wickets taken | Season average: 65.25 points per match
| Match | Opposition | Venue | Runs | Balls | SR | Wickets | Runs Conceded | Overs | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham | Edgbaston | 6 | 12 | 50.00 | 0 | 27 | 2 | 13.50 |
| 2 | Yorkshire | Edgbaston | 10 | 12 | 83.33 | 0 | 30 | 2 | 15.00 |
| 3 | Derbyshire | Edgbaston | 33 | 17 | 194.11 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 7.00 |
| 4 | Northamptonshire | Northampton | 31 | 24 | 129.16 | 2 | 26 | 2 | 13.00 |
| 5 | Yorkshire | Leeds | 9 | 8 | 112.50 | 2 | 26 | 3 | 8.66 |
| 6 | Nottinghamshire | Edgbaston | 34 | 12 | 283.33 | 2 | 24 | 2 | 12.00 |
| 7 | Worcestershire | Edgbaston | 4 | 8 | 50.00 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 4.00 |
| 8 | Leicestershire | Leicester | 1 | 4 | 25.00 | 0 | 14 | 2 | 7.00 |
In these appearances, Moeen has accumulated 7,792 runs with the bat and claimed 271 wickets with his off-spin bowling. His wealth of experience in both international and franchise cricket makes him a valuable asset for Yorkshire’s young squad.
Speaking about his decision, Moeen expressed enthusiasm about joining Yorkshire, citing the club’s rich history and promising future. He mentioned his fondness for playing at Headingley, praising the wicket quality, atmosphere, and passionate supporters.
The all-rounder emphasized his desire to bring experience to the team while working alongside the coaching staff to develop younger talent and help Yorkshire compete at the highest level.
Before linking up with Yorkshire in May, Moeen will serve as part of the coaching team for England Lions’ tour to the UAE. The Lions will face Pakistan Shaheens in a series comprising three T20s and five one-day matches in Abu Dhabi from February 20 to March 9.
The coaching setup will be led by Andrew Flintoff and Troy Cooley, with other notable names including Neil McKenzie, Sarah Taylor, and Ben Stokes participating in various capacities throughout the tour.
