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Following a decade and a half after his initial cap, England’s seasoned bowler could be forgiven for growing weary of the international cricket treadmill. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he describes that busy, routine existence 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 says. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

However, his passion is obvious, not just when he discusses the immediate future of a side that seems to be flourishing under Harry Brook and his personal role within it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. Although he managed to halt New Zealand’s progress as they tried to pursue England’s historic 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, there is nothing he can do to halt time.

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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, during the T20 World Cup’s middle phase. Once the following 50-over World Cup is held in late 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. However, Rashid continues essential: those four wickets took him to 19 so far this year, six ahead of any other England player. 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. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“Absolutely, I maintain the desire, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid says. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. I continue to hold that zeal for England. In my opinion, if the enthusiasm diminishes, or something similar, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. At the moment I haven’t really thought of anything else. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“I desire to join this team, this group we have currently, during the upcoming adventure we face, which hopefully will be nice and I want to be part of it. With luck, we can achieve victories and secure World Cups, all the positive outcomes. And I await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. 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 more of origins: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We are embarked on that path,” Rashid comments. “Several new players are present. Some have departed, some have joined, and that’s just part of the cycle. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, 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 inherent to the sport, but we’re definitely focused and really on the ball, for all future challenges.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, and the hiring of ex-All Blacks mental coach Gilbert Enoka, suggests there is a particular focus on creating something more from this group of players than just an XI. and Rashid thinks this is a unique talent of McCullum’s.

“We sense we are a cohesive group,” he says. “We feel like a family kind of environment, 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 developed. 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 aims to generate that climate. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, but we’re making sure that when we go on that pitch we’re focused and we’re going for it. A lot of credit goes to Baz for creating that environment, and with hope, we can continue that for much more time.”