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After over 16 seasons 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 outlines that hectic, monotonous life while discussing the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown which began England’s cold-weather campaign: “Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity when you’re always on tour,” he remarks. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

But his zeal is evident, not just when he discusses the upcoming path of a side that seems to be flourishing guided by Harry Brook and his individual spot on 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 the Hagley Oval ground in Christchurch on Monday night, with his four dismissals covering four of their leading five run-getters, no action can prevent the passage of time.

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Rashid reaches 38 years old in February, during the T20 World Cup’s middle phase. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he will be nearly 40. His great friend and now podcast co‑host Moeen Ali, only a few months older than him, ended his international cricket career last year. But Rashid remains integral: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally to 19, 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, plus Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his concentration is on overcoming foes, not ending his journey.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the hunger to play for England and represent 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 desire to join this team, this group we have currently, on the next journey we have, which hopefully will be nice and I want to be part of it. Hopefully we can experience some wins and win World Cups, all the good stuff. And I await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. It’s very unpredictable, life and cricket. I prefer to remain in the moment – one match at a time, one stage at a time – and permit matters to evolve, watch where the game and life guide me.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but rather of beginnings: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We are embarked on that path,” Rashid comments. “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. Yes, there’s going to be hiccups along the way, that’s inherent to the sport, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for all future challenges.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, and the recruitment of the former All Blacks mental skills 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 conveys. “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 attempt to ensure we adhere to our principles thus. Let’s make sure we stick together, that unity we have, that brotherhood.

“It’s a wonderful attribute, all members support one another and that’s the culture Baz and we seek to form, 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’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he is focused in that aspect. 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. Significant acknowledgment is due to Baz for building that milieu, and hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”