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Following 16 years from his first appearance, the veteran spinner might be excused for feeling exhausted by the international cricket treadmill. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he outlines that busy, routine existence when talking about the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown that launched England’s winter tour: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he states. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

However, his passion is obvious, not merely when he reflects on the immediate future of a squad that looks to be blooming guided by Harry Brook and his individual spot on it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. Although he managed to halt New Zealand’s progress as they aimed to overhaul England’s monumental 236 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday night, as his four-wicket spell claimed almost all of their top five batsmen, no action can prevent the passage of time.

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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, midway through the T20 World Cup. Once the following 50-over World Cup is held in late 2027 he will be nearly 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, merely some months elder, ended his international cricket career last year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count to 19, half a dozen beyond another English bowler. Merely three English cricketers have achieved such T20 international wickets in a single year: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, and Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and now 2025. But there are still no thoughts of the end; his concentration is on overcoming foes, not ending his journey.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for 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 possess that passion, with plenty of cricket ahead.

“I want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, on the next journey we have, which should be pleasant and I wish to participate. 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. 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 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 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. However, we hold expertise, we contain new blood, we’ve got world‑class players, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent 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 are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for all future challenges.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, 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 thinks this is a unique talent of McCullum’s.

“We perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he conveys. “We experience a familial atmosphere, supporting one another irrespective of performance, you have a good day or a bad day. We attempt to ensure we adhere to our principles thus. Let’s guarantee we stay together, that solidarity we possess, that fellowship.

“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 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 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 hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”