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Moeen, who made his test debut in 2014, scored 2,914 runs in 64
tests at an average of 28.29 and picked up 195 wickets with his
off-spin.
Moeen said in a statement that he was satisfied with his test
career and hoped it would inspire other British Muslims to play
for England.
"I've enjoyed test cricket but that intensity can be too much
sometimes and I feel like I’ve done enough of it and I’m happy
and content with how I've done," he said.
"It always takes somebody to inspire you ... I know he wasn't
English but someone like (former South Africa batter) Hashim
Amla, when I first saw him, I thought if he can do it I can do
it, it does take that little spark.
"I'd love (for someone) one day in 8-10 years’ time to say Moeen
made it easier for me."
Having played little test cricket since the 2019 Ashes, Moeen
was recalled for the home summer series against India and played
in three matches.
In an interview with the Guardian and ESPNCricinfo, the
34-year-old said he was struggling to focus on test cricket and
now intends to specialise in white-ball cricket.
"During the India series I felt like I was done, to be honest,"
he said.
"I felt good, the atmosphere felt good, the dressing room etc,
but cricketing-wise, I found it a struggle to get in the zone
bowling and batting and in the field. And the more I tried, I
just couldn’t do it."
England's next test series is against Australia in the Ashes
starting in December.
"I was thinking about the Ashes and how I would love to have
gone back and done well there," Moeen added.
"But it's such a long trip if I'm not 'in it' and I think it'd
be very, very difficult."
(Reporting by Ian Ransom and Manasi Pathak; Editing by Stephen
Coates and Alison Williams)
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