Moeen Ali reveals Aussie cricketer called him 'Osama' during 2015 Ashes

England all-rounder Moeen Ali, who recently made his comeback to the red-ball cricket in the recently concluded five-match Test series against India, has claimed he was subject to racial abuse from an unnamed Australian cricketer during a match in the 2015 Ashes. Moeen, who is Birmingham-born with Pakistani heritage, had earlier addressed a racial abuse that he received during last Ashes from the Aussie fans. Now, the 31-year-old has mentioned the racial abuse incident during the 2015 Ashes in his soon to be published autobiography. In that particular match, England won by 169 runs, with Moeen being the pick of the players for his brilliant knock of 77 runs in the first innings and five wickets.   

"It was a great first Ashes Test in terms of my personal performance, however, there was one incident which had distracted me. An Australian player had turned to me on the field and said, 'Take that, Osama' . I could not believe what I had heard. I remember going really red. I have never been so angry on a cricket field,” Moeen Ali states in his autobiography.

ALSO READ: Asia Cup 2018: The Tigers take on the Lions in campaign opener

Later, England coach Trevor Bayliss narrated the incident to his Aussie counterpart, Darren Lehmann as it was a serious incident of racial abuse.

However, the player refused to accept that he called him ‘Osama’, claiming he had said, Take that, you part-timer. I had to take the player’s word for it, though for the rest of the match I was angry."

The player in focus also said that he would never say something like this as some of his best friends were Muslim.

ALSO READ: Asia Cup 2018: India vs Pakistan | Check out these rivalry stats

Moeen further stated that he received more racial abuse during last winter’s Ashes Test in Adelaide, but this time from the audience, 'when is your kebab shop opening?’ a fan had shouted from the stands.

Moeen rejuvenated his form from last winter during the 4-1 Test series victory over India.