Moeen Ali has reversed his retirement from English domestic cricket and will feature in this year’s T20 Blast after signing for Yorkshire.
The move marks his third county stint, following previous spells with Worcestershire and Warwickshire, and also opens the door for his return to the Hundred, with Moeen set to enter the upcoming player auction after missing last season.
The 38-year-old had stepped away from domestic cricket after the Vitality Blast last season, also announcing his international retirement in September. It also helped him navigate the ECB’s revised No-Objection Certificate regulations, which restricted players from appearing in overseas leagues alongside county commitments. The policy, introduced late last year, stated that the board would deny NOCs for tournaments that clashed with the T20 Blast or the Hundred, leading to disgruntlement among the leading T20 freelancers.
Since retiring from international cricket in September 2024, Moeen has remained active on the circuit. Last summer, he played eight group matches for Warwickshire in the Blast before departing mid-season to represent Guyana Amazon Warriors in the Global Super League and the Caribbean Premier League, opting out of the Hundred in the process. He also featured in the Canada Super60, Abu Dhabi T10, ILT20 and the Bangladesh Premier League. Moeen is also expected to turn out in the Pakistan Super League before linking up with Yorkshire ahead of the Blast in May.
Moeen Ali joins Yorkshire for 2026 T20 Blast
"I'm delighted to be joining Yorkshire for the Blast. It's a huge club with a proud history, but what really appeals to me is where the team is heading," Moeen said in a club statement. "There's a lot of talent in the squad and the chance to work with Anthony [McGrath, head coach] and help push the group forward is exciting for me.
"I've always loved playing at Headingley. The wicket, the atmosphere and the supporters make it a special place. This feels like a fresh challenge and I'm arriving hungry for it. I want to bring my experience, enjoy my cricket and help Yorkshire compete."
Moeen has played 420 T20 matches, scoring 7,792 runs at 23.61 and a strike rate of 136.46. He has also taken 271 scalps at 24.97, having played for 17 teams across the globe in a career that began in 2007.
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