Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has decided to come out of domestic retirement, signing with Yorkshire County Cricket Club for the 2026 Vitality Blast season. The contract includes an option to extend his stay through the 2027 season, signalling the club’s ambition to bolster their white-ball squad with one of the game’s most experienced T20 performers.
Moeen, who won two Indian Premier League titles with Chennai Super Kings, previously led Worcestershire to their maiden Vitality Blast triumph in 2018. He also captained Birmingham Phoenix to the final of the inaugural The Hundred tournament, cementing his reputation as a formidable leader in short-format cricket.
Renowned for his all-round prowess in white-ball cricket, Moeen has amassed impressive statistics over his career. In 420 T20 matches, he has scored 7,792 runs and taken 271 wickets, with a highest score of 121 in the Vitality Blast. Representing England in 92 T20 internationals, he has scored 1,229 runs, claimed 51 wickets, and recorded seven half-centuries. He was also part of England’s squads that lifted two ICC World Cups.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Wickets | Highest Score | 50s | 100s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20 Domestic | 420 | 7,792 | 271 | 121 | 0 | 0 |
| T20 Internationals (England) | 92 | 1,229 | 51 | 82 | 7 | 0 |
Commenting on his Yorkshire move, Moeen said,
“I am delighted to join a club with such rich traditions. The team’s vision for the future is inspiring, and I look forward to contributing my experience. Playing at Headingley has always been a pleasure. This presents a new challenge, and I hope to help the squad achieve success.”
Yorkshire finished eighth out of nine teams in the North Group last season and are yet to secure a Blast title. Despite losing key players such as David Malan and Jordan Thompson over the off-season, the club has strengthened its squad with Australian recruits Sam Whiteman and Andrew Tye, as well as overseas players Naveen-ul-Haq and Logan van Beek.
Gavin Hamilton, Yorkshire’s General Manager of Cricket, added,
“Acquiring a world-class all-rounder like Moeen Ali is a significant coup for our side. His leadership and experience will inject new energy into our T20 team, and we anticipate Yorkshire will emerge as a stronger contender in the upcoming Blast season.”