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More than over 16 seasons from his first appearance, the veteran spinner could be forgiven for feeling exhausted by the global cricket grind. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he outlines that frantic, repetitive schedule when talking about the group-connecting brief holiday in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he remarks. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

However, his passion is obvious, not just when he discusses the immediate future of a squad that looks to be blooming 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, there is nothing he can do to halt time.

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Rashid will turn 38 in February, during the T20 World Cup’s middle phase. By the time the next one‑day international version is played towards 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. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four wickets took him to 19 so far this year, half a dozen beyond another English bowler. 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. But there are still no thoughts of the end; his attention stays on defeating rivals, not closing his career.

“Absolutely, I maintain the desire, the hunger to play for England and represent my country,” Rashid affirms. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. That fervor for England persists within me. I feel that once the passion fades, or whatever occurs, that’s the moment you consider: ‘Alright, let’s seriously ponder it’. At the moment I haven’t really thought of anything else. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“I aim to belong to this side, this roster we possess today, 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 await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We cannot predict future events. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. It’s very unpredictable, life and cricket. I aim to keep focused on the now – each game separately, each phase gradually – and let things unfold, see where cricket and life takes me.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but instead of starts: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid says. “There are a few new faces. Some have departed, some have joined, and that’s just part of the cycle. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we include elite performers, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, and all are committed to our goals. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s typical in cricket, but we’re definitely focused and really on the ball, for whatever lies ahead.”

The aim to plan that Queenstown excursion, and the hiring of ex-All Blacks mental coach 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 feel like a unit,” he expresses. “We enjoy a family-like setting, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, if your outing is strong or weak. We strive to confirm we follow our ethics in that manner. Let’s make sure we stick together, that unity we have, that brotherhood.

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

“Baz is quite calm, easygoing, but he is attentive regarding coaching, he’s on it in that sense. And he desires to foster that setting. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, but we confirm that when we step onto the ground we are attentive and we are giving our all. Much praise belongs to Baz for forming that atmosphere, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”