English cricketer Moeen Ali’s father-in-law's house is a short distance away from where he was talking to reporters at the Sylhet Cricket Stadium on Sunday. But Moeen came to Sylhet for the first time. Family members including his wife are also coming here on the occasion of his game. He is also trying to learn words in Sylhet regional language as for the first time he is now in his father-in-law's hometown.
Moeen was born and raised in Birmingham. But his roots are from Pakistan. Firoza Hossain, whom he married, has his roots in Sylhet. Moeen's father-in-law M Hossain used to live in Pir Mahalla, half a kilometre away from Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. He later settled in the United Kingdom. Firoza was born and raised there. She later married Moeen of Pakistani descent. They have a son named Abu Bakr and a daughter named Hadia.
He came to Bangladesh for the first time in 2005 for the age group of England. He also played in the Dhaka Premier League in the 2010-11 season, having been to the England national team more than once. He also played in BPL in 2013. However, he had never been to Sylhet before. This time the England all-rounder has come to Sylhet for the first time to play for BPL team Comilla Victorians. After practising at the academy ground of Sylhet Cricket Stadium on Sunday, he said that this time he has brought all the members of his family.
"My wife is here. Her sisters, brother-in-law, they are all in Dhaka, coming to Sylhet in two days' time," Moeen told reporters in Sylhet.
Rooted in Pakistan, born and raised in UK. Bangladesh has been added to his diverse family because of his marriage. To Moeen, three countries are his home, "Bangladesh is home, Pakistan is home, and England is home. I see them as all the same to be honest. All my in-laws are here. Respect to them, it's my first-time in Sylhet. They always used to tell me, 'let's go to Sylhet' but somehow, I couldn't manage the time. It's nice to be here now. It's a shame we can't go out but I am very happy to be here," he said
The regional Sylheti regional language attracts Moeen. Moeen in an attempt to master some Sylheti words on this tour, said, 'I know a few Sylheti words, this is it. Honestly, it would be nice to know more. I will try to learn more. Now people at the hotel are talking to me in Sylheti. I am trying to learn the language. '
