England’s World Cup vice-captain Moeen Ali feared growing a beard as part of his Muslim faith might lead to him being labelled an extremist

Moeen Ali feared growing a beard as part of his strong Muslim faith might lead to him being labelled an extremist.

Moeen, England’s World Cup vice-captain, said his decision to grow the beard early in his career was inspired by South Africa’s Hashim Amla.

‘Muhammad Ali was a massive inspiration for me because of his upbringing and becoming a Muslim,’ Moeen, 36, told Sky Sports. 

‘Then Hashim Amla as a cricketer in South Africa having a big beard. If he can do it, why can’t I? It’s what I wanted to do but I was a bit afraid at the time. I was young and I didn’t want people to think — even my own family — I was extreme or becoming an extremist.

‘Because at that time, that’s all people were talking about — Muslims being extreme.’