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After a decade and a half since his debut, England’s seasoned bowler might be excused for tiring of the global cricket grind. Now in New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he summarises that frantic, repetitive schedule as he mentions the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he remarks. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

Yet his enthusiasm is clear, not merely when he reflects on the upcoming path of a team that appears to be thriving under Harry Brook and his personal role within 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 Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Monday night, with his four dismissals covering four of their leading five run-getters, no action can prevent the passage of time.

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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, halfway into the T20 World Cup. 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, just a few months his senior, ended his international cricket career last year. However, Rashid continues essential: those four wickets took him to 19 so far this year, 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, plus Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. But there are still no thoughts of the end; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid says. “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 the moment you consider: ‘Alright, let’s seriously ponder 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, during the upcoming adventure we face, which ought to be rewarding and I intend to contribute. Ideally, we can taste success and claim World Cups, everything excellent. And I’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. It’s very unpredictable, life and cricket. I always like to stay present – a game at a time, a step at a time – and let things unfold, see where cricket and life takes me.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but instead of starts: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid notes. “There are a few new faces. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s simply part of the rotation. However, we hold expertise, we contain new blood, we include elite performers, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, and each person supports our objectives. 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 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 thinks this is a unique talent of McCullum’s.

“We sense we are a cohesive group,” he expresses. “We experience a familial atmosphere, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, if your outing is strong or weak. We attempt to ensure we adhere to our principles thus. Let’s make sure we stick together, that unity we have, that brotherhood.

“It’s a great quality, each person defends their teammates and that’s the culture Baz and we seek to form, and we have developed. And ideally, we shall, irrespective of performance outcomes.

“Baz is very composed, laid-back, but he’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he is diligent in that regard. And he aims to generate that climate. 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 hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”