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More than 16 years after his initial cap, the veteran spinner might be excused for growing weary of the international cricket treadmill. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he describes that busy, routine existence as he mentions the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown which began England’s cold-weather campaign: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he says. “You arrive, practice, compete, and move on.”

However, his passion is obvious, not only when he talks about the near-term prospects of a squad that looks to be blooming under Harry Brook and his individual spot on it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. Yet while he succeeded in curbing New Zealand’s charge as they aimed to overhaul England’s monumental 236 at the Hagley Oval ground in Christchurch on Monday night, when his four‑wicket haul included all but one of their five highest scorers, he cannot do anything to stop time.

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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, 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 longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, stepped away from global cricket the previous year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four wickets took him to 19 so far this year, six more than any other Englishman. Only three English bowlers have taken so many T20 international wickets in a calendar year: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, and Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and now 2025. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the craving to feature for England and symbolize my nation,” Rashid declares. “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, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I’ve got that passion, there’s a lot of cricket to be played.

“I aim to belong to this side, this roster we possess today, on the next journey we have, which ought to be rewarding and I intend to contribute. With luck, we can achieve victories and secure World Cups, all the positive outcomes. And I anticipate hopefully taking part in that voyage.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. I always like to stay present – a game at a time, a step at a time – and allow events to develop, observe where cricket and existence lead me.”

In numerous aspects, now is not the period to ponder finishes, but instead of starts: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid notes. “There are a few new faces. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s just part of the cycle. But we’ve got experience, we’ve got youth, we’ve got world‑class players, 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 typical in cricket, but we’re definitely focused and really on the ball, for any coming events.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, 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 says. “We feel like a family kind of environment, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, whether your day is positive or negative. 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 wonderful attribute, all members support one another and that’s the culture Baz and we seek to form, and we have built. And hopefully we can, regardless of whether we have a good day or a bad day.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he is focused in that aspect. And he desires to foster that setting. 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. Much praise belongs to Baz for forming that atmosphere, and with hope, we can continue that for much more time.”