Moeen Ali not planning to reverse Test retirement decision: "It's time to close the door"

The 35-year-old stepped away from the longest format in September 2021 and despite hinting at a possible return has reiterated his position after an approach for the Pakistan Tests

Moeen Ali will remain in Test retirement after turning down another offer from England men's head coach Brendon McCullum to reverse his decision.

The allrounder stepped away from the longest format in September 2021 but admitted in the summer he would "love to play" under the Ben Stokes-McCullum axis.

McCullum approached Moeen, 35, ahead of the Pakistan Tests in December, as reported by The Cricketer, but was unsuccessful in tempting him back.

"That's a trip I won't be making sadly," he wrote in The Daily Mail. "It's not something I'm keen on doing anymore.

^{Moeen had been keen to play under Ben Stokes' leadership (LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP via Getty Images)}

"I've had an honest chat with Baz (McCullum) and I can't see myself being stuck in hotels for another month and playing to the best of my ability. 

"Baz phoned me, we spoke at length and I said, 'sorry, I'm done'. He understands, he knows the feeling.

"Watching the boys, I got the feeling this is how I've always wanted to play the game but the more I thought about it and discussed it with those close to me, I knew deep down why I was done.

"Test cricket is hard work. I'm 35 and something's got to give. I want to enjoy my cricket and it wouldn't be fair to reverse my decision and then struggle to give it my all.

"It's time to close the door on that side of my career. To play 64 Tests for England has been a privilege and a dream fulfilled."

^{Adil Rashid has turned down an offer to return (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)}

The last of those 64 Tests came against India at the Kia Oval, days before his decision to call time on his international red-ball career.

He scored 2,914 runs, hitting five centuries, and claimed 195 wickets leaving him third on the all-time list of England Test spinners.

Adil Rashid was also offered the chance to return for the Pakistan series but rejected the proposal amid concerns over his long-term shoulder issues and potential workload.

The second leg of England's first tour of Pakistan since 2005, following the seven-match T20I series, sees them play three Tests in Rawalpindi (December 1-5), Multan (December 9-13) and Karachi (December 17-21).

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