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Following over 16 seasons after his initial cap, England’s seasoned bowler might be excused for tiring of the international cricket treadmill. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he summarises that busy, routine existence while discussing the group-connecting brief holiday in Queenstown which began England’s cold-weather campaign: “Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity when you’re always on tour,” he states. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

However, his passion is obvious, not only when he talks about the upcoming path of a side that seems to be flourishing guided by Harry Brook and his own place in it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. But while he was able to stop New Zealand in their tracks as they tried to pursue England’s historic 236 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch 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. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he’ll be approaching 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, merely some months elder, ended his international cricket career last year. But Rashid remains integral: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count to 19, half a dozen beyond another English bowler. Only three English bowlers have taken so many T20 international wickets in a calendar year: Swann in 2010, Curran in 2022, and Rashid across 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. But no plans exist for conclusion; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid declares. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. 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’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I possess that passion, with plenty of cricket ahead.

“I aim to belong to this side, this roster we possess today, along the forthcoming path we tread, which hopefully will be nice and I want to be part of it. Ideally, we can taste success and claim World Cups, everything excellent. And I await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. 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 let things unfold, see where cricket and life takes me.”

In numerous aspects, now is not the period to ponder finishes, but instead of starts: a renewed side with a changed leader, a changed mentor and new vistas. “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. But we’ve got experience, we’ve got youth, we’ve got world‑class players, we’ve got Brendon McCullum, who’s a very, very good coach, and everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s inherent to the sport, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for any coming events.”

The aim to plan that Queenstown excursion, and the appointment of previous All Blacks mindset trainer 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 expresses. “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 great quality, each person defends their teammates and that’s the environment that Baz and we are trying to create, 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 sharp in his mentoring role, 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. Significant acknowledgment is due to Baz for building that milieu, and hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”