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Following a decade and a half from his first appearance, the veteran spinner might be excused for tiring of the global cricket grind. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he outlines that busy, routine existence when talking about the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he states. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

However, his passion is obvious, not just when he discusses the near-term prospects of a side that seems to be flourishing with Harry Brook and his personal role within it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. But while he was able to stop New Zealand in their tracks as they aimed to overhaul England’s monumental 236 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday night, when his four‑wicket haul included all but one of their five highest scorers, no action can prevent the passage of time.

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Rashid will turn 38 in February, halfway into the T20 World Cup. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he’ll be approaching 40. His close pal and current podcast partner Moeen Ali, only a few months older than him, ended his international cricket career last year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four wickets took him to 19 so far this year, half a dozen beyond another English bowler. Only three English bowlers have taken so many T20 international wickets in a calendar 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 attention stays on defeating rivals, not closing his career.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid affirms. “Personally, I believe that’s the top accomplishment in any athletic field. I continue to hold that zeal for England. I feel that once the passion fades, or whatever occurs, that’s when you think: ‘OK, right, let’s have a real think about it’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“I want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, along the forthcoming path we tread, which should be pleasant and I wish to participate. With luck, we can achieve victories and secure World Cups, all the positive outcomes. And I’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Around the corner things can change very quickly. Existence and cricket are highly uncertain. I prefer to remain in the moment – one match at a time, one stage at a time – and let things unfold, see where cricket and life takes me.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but more of origins: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid notes. “Several new players are present. Some have gone out, some have come in, and that’s just part of the cycle. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we include elite performers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent coach, and each person supports our objectives. Yes, there’s going to be hiccups along the way, that’s typical in cricket, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for whatever lies ahead.”

The aim to plan that Queenstown excursion, and the appointment of previous All Blacks mindset trainer Gilbert Enoka, implies a specific concentration on developing additional value from this squad apart from a lineup. and Rashid thinks this is a unique talent of McCullum’s.

“We feel like a unit,” he expresses. “We feel like a family kind of environment, supporting one another irrespective of performance, whether your day is positive or negative. We strive to confirm we follow our ethics in that manner. Let’s guarantee we stay together, that solidarity we possess, that fellowship.

“It’s a great quality, each person defends their teammates and that’s the atmosphere Baz and we aim to establish, and we have created. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“Baz is very composed, laid-back, but he is attentive regarding coaching, he’s on it in that sense. And he wants to create that environment. Indeed, we are tranquil, we are serene, but we’re making sure that when we go on that pitch we’re focused and we’re going for it. A lot of credit goes to Baz for creating that environment, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”