Moeen Ali rejects IPL, follows Faf du Plessis and chooses PSL as retirement home

Former England international Moeen Ali has announced that he will play in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in 2026 while skipping the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The 38-year-old made the decision soon after he was released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of the upcoming mini-auction.

Last week, former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis revealed that he will not enter the IPL 2026 auction and will instead play in the PSL. The 40-year-old last played for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 2025 IPL season. He scored 202 runs in 9 matches at a disappointing average of 22.44 and a strike rate of 123.93.

After Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali chose Pakistan’s PSL over IPL

Moeen Ali said he is excited to join the Pakistan Super League. He stated that playing for Pakistan has always been a special experience for him. Moeen added that he is looking forward to creating new memories in the league and hopes that next season will be another unforgettable chapter.

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Moeen Ali wrote: “I’m really excited to be joining the HBL PSL in its new era. The league has earned a reputation for high-level T20 cricket, with quality competition and world-class talent in every team. Playing in Pakistan is always incredible; the quality of cricket is fantastic and the passion and intensity of the crowd pushes you to give your best.”

“I’m looking forward to being a part of it all and creating some great memories along the way. I’m ready for another special experience, God willing!” He added.

Moeen Ali represents RCB, CSK, and KKR in the IPL

Moeen Ali’s long stint in the Indian Premier League is over after he was released by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of the mini-auction in Abu Dhabi. The all-rounder was part of KKR’s squad in the 2025 season and played just six matches.

Moeen represented Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), and KKR, scoring 1,167 runs and taking 41 wickets in 73 matches. He was also part of CSK’s title-winning campaigns in 2021 and 2023, where he contributed as a middle-order batsman and an off-spin option.

Moeen has extensive T20 experience, having played 92 T20Is for England and previously appearing in the PSL for Multan Sultans. He decided to return to the PSL soon after the IPL 2026 auction registration deadline closed.

Faf du Plessis and Andre Russell retire from IPL

Faf du Plessis ended his IPL career, announcing his retirement on 29 November, just a day before the registration deadline for the 2026 IPL auction. He was released by Delhi Capitals after sustaining an injury-plagued 2025 season.

Du Plessis began his Indian Premier League journey with Chennai Super Kings in 2013. He played seven seasons with CSK and won two titles, in 2018 and 2021. After CSK allowed him to go ahead in the 2022 auction, Royal Challengers Bangalore picked him as their captain.

He has produced some of his best numbers for RCB, including a 730-run campaign in 2023. The batsman has scored 4,773 runs from 154 matches in the IPL at an average of 35.10 and a strike rate of 135.79.

Andre Russell also walked away from the Indian Premier League last week. The former West Indies all-rounder will return to Kolkata Knight Riders in a new role as strength coach for the 2026 season.

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