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After 16 years after his initial cap, 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 describes that hectic, monotonous life while discussing the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown that launched England’s winter tour: “Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity when you’re always on tour,” he says. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

However, his passion is obvious, not merely when he reflects on the immediate future of a team that appears to be thriving guided by Harry Brook and his personal role within it, and also when observing Rashid practice, compete, or deliver. But while he was able to stop New Zealand in their tracks as they aimed to overhaul England’s monumental 236 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Monday night, when his four‑wicket haul included all but one of their five highest scorers, there is nothing he can do to halt time.

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Rashid reaches 38 years old in February, midway through the T20 World Cup. By the time the next one‑day international version is played towards the end of 2027 he will be nearly 40. His great friend and now podcast co‑host Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, retired from international cricket last year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four wickets took him to 19 so far this year, six more than any other Englishman. Merely three English cricketers have achieved such T20 international wickets in a single year: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, plus Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his attention stays on defeating rivals, not closing his career.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the craving to feature for England and symbolize my nation,” Rashid affirms. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. 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’. At the moment I haven’t really thought of anything else. I possess that passion, with plenty of cricket ahead.

“I want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, during the upcoming adventure we face, which should be pleasant and I wish to participate. Ideally, we can taste success and claim World Cups, everything excellent. And I anticipate hopefully taking part in that voyage.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. Existence and cricket are highly uncertain. I aim to keep focused on the now – each game separately, each phase gradually – 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 more of origins: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid comments. “Several new players are present. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s simply part of the rotation. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we feature top-tier cricketers, 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 inherent to the sport, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for any coming events.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, 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 feels this is a distinct asset of McCullum’s.

“We perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he says. “We feel like a family kind of environment, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, if your outing is strong or weak. We’re trying to make sure we stick to our morals in that way. 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 developed. And hopefully we can, regardless of whether we have a good day or a bad day.

“Baz is very composed, laid-back, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he is diligent in that regard. And he aims to generate that climate. Certainly, we are at ease, we are cool, but we confirm that when we step onto the ground we are attentive and we are giving our all. Significant acknowledgment is due to Baz for building that milieu, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”