'Once the World Cup comes he'll be fine' - Moeen Ali backs Ben Stokes amid questions over latter's form

Amid talks about Ben Stokes’ form in the T20 format of the game, English all-rounder Moeen Ali believes that Stokes will be at his best during the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022. Stokes has not managed to put up a big show ahead of the marquee event, as in the ongoing T20I series against Australia, he has managed to get only 16 runs from two games.

This is the first T20I series that Stokes is playing in 2022, and since he has not played an impressive knock, there have been concerns over his form in the shortest format of the game, leading to questions being raised on his place in the World Cup squad. But Moeen Ali feels that Stokes’ experience in the game will play a big role when the Jos Buttler-led England team marches into the tournament.

“I don't care if Ben doesn't score any runs in the next couple of games because once the World Cup comes I'm sure he'll be fine. Even if he doesn't score runs he's a great player to have in your team,” Moeen Ali was quoted as saying by India Today.

Ben offers so much even if he's not scoring runs: Moeen Ali

Due to his withdrawal from the T20 World Cup 2021 to concentrate on his mental health, Stokes only played 5 T20 Internationals in 2021. Last year, the all-arounder had only 84 runs in 5 T20Is. It will be intriguing to see if the England Test skipper can keep playing at No. 4 when a fit-again Liam Livingstone joins the team.

Livingstone has been sidelined due to an injury, although he will certainly make a comeback for the official warm-up games on October 17 and 19. In the second T20I against Australia on Wednesday, Stokes started England's second innings with the ball as the Englishmen successfully defended their 178-run total. The fast bowler completed his 2-over quota with one wicket, giving away only 10 runs.

“I think when the big games come he'll score runs and that's what you want from your gun players. Ben offers so much even if he's not scoring runs - he opened the bowling, bowled really well and was brilliant in the field. That effort [to save four runs] was amazing,” he added.