Moeen Ali Test absence set to continue, with Multan Sultans expecting allrounder to feature in PSL

The Pakistan Super League clashes with England's Test tour of Sri Lanka, but The Cricketer has learned that Moeen is still set to play for the franchise now coached by Andy Flower

Multan Sultans now expect Moeen Ali to be part of their squad for the entire Pakistan Super League campaign, suggesting that the allrounder will not make himself available for England’s tour of Sri Lanka.

Multan had been bracing themselves for Moeen to make a Test return for the two-match series, which clashes with the T20 tournament in March, sources told The Cricketer.

However, The Cricketer has since learned that the off-spinner – England’s top wicket-taker on their last visit to Sri Lanka in 2018 – is now set to play a full part in the PSL, remaining unavailable for Test selection.

Moeen ruled himself out of contention for the red-ball legs of the national team trips to New Zealand and South Africa over the winter after being dropped from the Test team during the Ashes series last summer, but it had been thought that he might return for the World Test Championship assignment in Sri Lanka.

Ahead of England’s ODI series against South Africa, he appeared to hint in an interview with Sky Sports that he was getting closer to feeling ready for a Test comeback, having previously admitted to experiencing burnout in the summer.

^{Moeen Ali is part of England's squad for their ODI series against South Africa}

“Even in the warm-up games here, I was thinking ‘I have missed this’, which is exactly the feeling I want,” he said.

“There were times when I thought I was going to quit playing Test matches, but I spoke to Rooty and he felt I was still a big part of this team. I am going to speak to Spoons [England coach Chris Silverwood] and Rooty but ultimately it is about if I feel I am ready to play again.

“I know even if I decide to go to Sri Lanka I might not get in straight away but I am going to fight for my place. I thought [Dom] Bess bowled really well in South Africa but it was almost like, ‘yeah, I could to that, I can still do that’.”

"This place is like heaven for us" - Cricket's oasis in the Pakistan wilderness

Moeen was picked up as a platinum player during December’s PSL draft by Multan, who are now coached by former England head coach Andy Flower and supported by analyst Nathan Leamon, who is the franchise’s head of strategy.

Compatriots Ravi Bopara and James Vince are also part of Multan’s squad, while Derbyshire stalwart Wayne Madsen has now signed up for part of the PSL campaign. He will fill in for West Indian recruit Fabian Allen, who will arrive at the tournament midway through after his country’s series against Sri Lanka.