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More than a decade and a half from his first appearance, England’s seasoned bowler might be excused for feeling exhausted by the global cricket grind. Now in New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he describes that frantic, repetitive schedule 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 states. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

But his zeal is evident, not only when he talks about the immediate future of a team that appears to be thriving guided by Harry Brook and his personal role within it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. Yet while he succeeded in curbing New Zealand’s charge as they tried to pursue England’s historic 236 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Monday night, with his four dismissals covering four of their leading five run-getters, there is nothing he can do to halt time.

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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, halfway into 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 close pal and current podcast partner Moeen Ali, merely some months elder, retired from international cricket last year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count to 19, six more than any other Englishman. Merely three English cricketers have achieved such T20 international wickets in a single year: Swann in 2010, Curran in 2022, and Rashid across 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his concentration is on overcoming foes, not ending his journey.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, 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 still have that passion there for England. In my opinion, if the enthusiasm diminishes, or something similar, 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’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, along the forthcoming path we tread, 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 anticipate hopefully taking part in that voyage.

“We cannot predict future events. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. 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 numerous aspects, now is not the period to ponder finishes, but instead of starts: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid comments. “Several new players are present. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s just part of the cycle. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we include elite performers, we’ve got Brendon McCullum, who’s a very, very good coach, and everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Certainly, there will be obstacles during the journey, that’s typical in cricket, but we’re definitely focused and really on the ball, for all future challenges.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, 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 sense we are a cohesive group,” he conveys. “We enjoy a family-like setting, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, you have a good day or a bad day. 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 nice thing to have, everybody’s got each other’s backs and that’s the culture Baz and we seek to form, and we have created. And ideally, we shall, irrespective of performance outcomes.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he is focused in that aspect. And he desires to foster that setting. Certainly, we are at ease, we are cool, but we ensure that once we enter the field we are concentrated and we are competing fully. A lot of credit goes to Baz for creating that environment, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”