Represent is a one-off Sky Sports series exploring how heritage, nationality and ethnicity interlink to make an athletes’ sporting identity.
Moeen Ali OBE is a household name and a staple of English cricket. Moeen was part of both the 2019 World Cup and the 2022 T20 World Cup winning England teams and has played Test cricket for England from 2014-2023. And as one of the most well-known and successful British-South Asian sportspeople the UK has ever seen, he is a role model to many. But how does his heritage, ethnicity and faith interlink to make up his sporting identity?
“I would say first of all I’m a Muslim, then English, then Pakistani."
Growing up, Moeen was close with his grandmother, Betty, a white English woman, and says because of her he would identify as mixed-heritage.
"I feel like I’ve got a strong affiliation here, in England, and Pakistani because of my Mum's side. I loved going back [to Pakistan]."
He laughed about a time when a fellow England team-mate was left confused after seeing him chatting on FaceTime to a white Auntie.
"They said 'what do you mean auntie Anne?!'"
Moeen explained that no one realised he is mixed-heritage, but that it has made him more open-minded as a person.
"Obvious I've got mainly stronger Pakistani genes or whatever you want to call them, but I'd definitely say [I'm] a quarter white. Most of the time I just say a mix of my grandmother and grandfather. I'm really proud of my heritage.
"I feel a bit of everything which is good."
But how much of Moeen feeling English is because he's represented the country in his sport for so long?
"It’s a good question. Playing for England is all I ever wanted to do."
Not Pakistan, at any point?
"When I was younger I wouldn’t say I supported Pakistan but I always kept an eye on the Pakistani team because that’s what all my uncles did and my family did. But I had this thing inside me that I really did support England and wanted England to do well. And I don’t know if it’s because I had the ambition to play for England," he said.
"I just thought playing for England was the best thing in our sport and I always dreamt of playing against Pakistan, against India. I always thought that would be amazing."
So how common is it, does he think, for British South-Asians to support England in cricket?
"Over the past 10 years, or even five years, I would say there’s a lot more [English-South Asians] now supporting England," he said.
"I don’t know if it’s because myself and Adil Rashid are playing for England and there’s more coming through the systems."
'The Beard That's Feared'
With so few high profile British-Muslim sportspeople, Moeen recognises how crucial Muslim role models are, and how important it is that he continues to be one for future generations of cricketers.
His nickname, 'The Beard That's Feared', is at surface level one-dimensional. But for the 36-year-old, there's more to it than just being a frighteningly good cricket player.
"Muhammad Ali was a massive inspiration for me because of his upbringing and becoming a Muslim. And then Hashim Amla as a cricketer in South Africa, having a big beard. I was like ‘well if he can do it why can’t I do it?’" he said.
"It’s what I wanted to do but I was a little bit afraid at the time.
"I was young and I didn’t want people to think - even my own family - that I was extreme or becoming an extremist. Because at that time that’s all people were talking about - Muslims being extreme and all that."
Now, Moeen says it's the peace of mind and contentment from his faith that bleeds into his identity as a cricketer, which "nothing else in this world can beat".
"That’s why it’s really important to me and I try and be the best person I can be every day," he added.
"I know what it’s like when you’re inspired by someone who has a similar background or heritage to you. I know how powerful it is and I think that’s extremely important because I was inspired like that."
Although Moeen believes he is viewed as a serious person and player because of his religion, he says in reality, he's the opposite. "In the changing room when people get to know me, I’m always joking around.
"I’m like a little kid. Of course I’m serious in certain things, but people that know me won’t tell you [I’m] a serious person at all. People just think that, because I’m a Muslim or I’ve got a beard," he said.
"I like to see myself as someone who can make it or become a professional, you can do what you want, no matter what faith you are."
"If they don’t like you, that’s their problem."
While around nine per cent of the British population has South Asian heritage, there are still barely any athletes in elite sport from a South Asian background. And while Moeen understands how important it is for him to represent so many people, he also makes sure not to put any pressure on himself - whether on the field or in the dressing room.
"I was given a piece of advice about nine years ago by Ravi Bopara. He said to me ‘be yourself, don’t try and fit in, if they like you they like you, if they don’t like you, that’s their problem.’
"I just thought that was the best advice someone could give," Moeen said.
But with his children being a mix of English, Pakistani and Bangladeshi - who will they support in the cricket?
"England for sure. It'll only be England."
Built with Shorthand
