England all-rounder Moeen Ali has hailed his teammate – Adil Rashid as best in business when it comes to the limited-overs cricket. Ali heaped praises on star leg-spinner, Rashid after the completion of 2-1 T20I series win over Australia in the recently-held third fixture at the Ageas Bowl.
However, Australia won the dead-rubber by five wickets and three balls to spare in Southampton. Ali, who shares a great camaraderie with Rashid enjoys latter’s bowling when he is on the song.
“He’s an amazing bowler for us – when he’s bowling like that, I think he’s the best in the world. He’s brilliant and he has been over a long period of time and it’s the reason why he’s a leading wicket-taker in white-ball cricket,” Moeen Ali told English media after the culmination of T20I series.
In Eoin Morgan’s absence, Moeen Ali led England in the final T20I on Tuesday in which visitors chased down the target of 146 with five wickets in hand.
Adil Rashid is hard to pick:
Given to the third T20I, Adil Rashid had bowled magnificently well in which he bagged three wickets after giving away just 21 runs in his four overs, which eventually impressed stand-in skipper Ali to say a few good things about Rashid.
Pertinently, Rashid claimed wickets of Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch in 11th over before dismissing Steven Smith in 13th over of Australia’s innings. However, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh did well for Australia for a consolidation win over the Three Lions.
The prominent leg-spinner Rashid has finished as a top-wicket taker in the three-match series with six wickets.
While further speaking to media, Ali said that Adil Rashid is hard to pick by batsmen given to his skill set. He further revealed that one often wishes to see Rashid having an extra over to bowl.
“You always wish he had another over or so. I think he is quite hard to pick and play, he’s got so much skill,” Ali said.
Jos Buttler is a great leader: Moeen Ali
Besides, Ali had also hailed Jos Buttler, who was named as the player of the series. Buttler had missed the final T20I after going against the bio-secure protocol amid COVID-19 challenges – to see his family.
The explosive batsman Buttler had done well for England in the white-ball cricket despite faltering at times. Ali maintains that a player like him adds a wealth of experience in the change room.
“He’s an amazing, world-class player – a great leader and if he had been here tonight I’m sure he would have been captain,” Moeen said about Buttler.
He further reiterated that the return of Ben Stokes and Jason Roy will bolster England team. The hosts will now play ODI series against Australia which will commence from September 11 at the Old Trafford.