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After a decade and a half after his initial cap, the veteran spinner could be forgiven for tiring of the global cricket grind. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he outlines that busy, routine existence when talking about the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he says. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

But his zeal is evident, not just when he discusses the immediate future of a side that seems to be flourishing with Harry Brook and his personal role within it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. Yet while he succeeded in curbing New Zealand’s charge as they attempted to chase down England’s record‑breaking 236 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday night, as his four-wicket spell claimed almost all of their top five batsmen, 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. 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, retired from international cricket last year. However, Rashid continues essential: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally to 19, half a dozen beyond another English bowler. Just three England bowlers have claimed as many T20I wickets in one 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 craving to feature for England and symbolize my nation,” Rashid affirms. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. I still have that passion there for England. I think that when the passion does die down, or whatever it is, that’s the moment you consider: ‘Alright, let’s seriously ponder 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, on the next journey we have, which should be pleasant and I wish to participate. 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. Around the corner things can change very quickly. It’s very unpredictable, life and cricket. 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 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 have begun that voyage,” Rashid says. “Several new players are present. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s just part of the cycle. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we include elite performers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent coach, and everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s part and parcel of the game, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for any coming events.”

The aim to plan that Queenstown excursion, and the appointment of previous All Blacks mindset trainer Gilbert Enoka, indicates a special emphasis on building extra from this team beyond a playing eleven. and Rashid feels this is a distinct asset of McCullum’s.

“We sense we are a cohesive group,” he says. “We feel like a family kind of environment, supporting one another irrespective of performance, if your outing is strong or weak. We’re trying to make sure we stick to our morals in that way. 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 environment that Baz and we are trying to create, and we have built. And ideally, we shall, irrespective of performance outcomes.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he is focused in that aspect. 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 with hope, we can continue that for much more time.”