Final was my most nervous game, says Moeen

MOEEN Ali admitted his desperation for England to claim the T20 World Cup title meant the final against Pakistan was the “most nervous” he has ever been in his career.

The all-rounder was already a 50-over World Cup winner but, whereas he was out of the England XI come the crunch time of the 2019 campaign, three years on in Australia he has been an ever-present.

An innings of 19 off 12 balls in the showpiece was much more important than it first appears as his three fours in the 17th over bowled by Mohammad

Wasim swung the momentum towards England at the MCG.

While Wasim had his revenge in his next over by castling Moeen, the damage was done and Ben Stokes, who made 52 not out off 49 balls, got England over the line with five wickets and six deliveries to spare.

Aged 35, Moeen recognises he may not have too many opportunities left to win World Cups and was happy to banish the memory of the 2016 final in which the West Indies pipped England in the last over.

“Being at the back end of my career, I felt like this was the most nervous I’ve ever been for a game,” Moeen said.

“It felt like the biggest game I’ve ever played in because obviously I was so desperate to win it.

“I feel like as a team we deserved it. I’m absolutely buzzing.

“To win the World Cup after 2016, missing out in the final, then the semi-final (last year) where we probably felt we should have won, and then coming out here, it was an amazing performance.”

Several of England’s squad, including Buttler and Moeen, have little time to revel in their triumph as they start a threematch ODI series against Australia at Adelaide on Thursday.

“Those kind of things are a shame and, you know, as a group we want to enjoy and celebrate and have that (time) because you put so much into it as well,” Moeen added.

“Having a game in three days’ time, it’s horrible. As players we’re kind of getting used to it now.

“But to give 100 per cent all the time is difficult when you’re playing every two, three days.”