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More than 16 years from his first appearance, the veteran spinner could be forgiven for feeling exhausted by the international cricket treadmill. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he outlines that busy, routine existence while discussing the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity when you’re always on tour,” he states. “You arrive, practice, compete, and move on.”

However, his passion is obvious, not just when he discusses the immediate future of a side that seems to be flourishing under Harry Brook and his own place in it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. Although he managed to halt New Zealand’s progress as they attempted to chase down England’s record‑breaking 236 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Monday night, as his four-wicket spell claimed almost all of their top five batsmen, he cannot do anything to stop time.

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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, halfway into the T20 World Cup. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he’ll be close to 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, merely some months elder, retired from international cricket last year. However, Rashid continues essential: those four wickets took him to 19 so far this year, six ahead of any other England player. Just three England bowlers have claimed as many T20I wickets in one year: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, and Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and now 2025. But there are still no thoughts of the end; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid says. “Personally, I believe that’s the top accomplishment in any athletic field. I continue to hold that zeal for England. I think that when the passion does die down, or whatever it is, that’s the moment you consider: ‘Alright, let’s seriously ponder it’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I’ve got that passion, there’s a lot of cricket to be played.

“I want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, during the upcoming adventure we face, which ought to be rewarding and I intend to contribute. Hopefully we can experience some wins and win World Cups, all the good stuff. And I anticipate hopefully taking part in that voyage.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. I always like to stay present – a game at a time, a step at a time – and allow events to develop, observe where cricket and existence lead me.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but rather of beginnings: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid says. “A handful of fresh members exist. Some have departed, some have joined, and that’s simply part of the rotation. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we’ve got world‑class players, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, and everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s part and parcel of the game, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for all future challenges.”

The aim to plan that Queenstown excursion, and the recruitment of the former All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka, suggests there is a particular focus on creating something more from this group of players than just an XI. and Rashid feels this is a distinct asset of McCullum’s.

“We perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he says. “We experience a familial atmosphere, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, if your outing is strong or weak. We’re trying to make sure we stick to our morals in that way. Let’s ensure we remain united, that cohesion we share, that camaraderie.

“It’s a nice thing to have, everybody’s got each other’s backs and that’s the atmosphere Baz and we aim to establish, and we have developed. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“Baz is quite calm, easygoing, but he’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he is diligent in that regard. And he wants to create that environment. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, but we ensure that once we enter the field we are concentrated and we are competing fully. Significant acknowledgment is due to Baz for building that milieu, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”