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Following 16 years after his initial cap, the veteran spinner would be justified in growing weary of the international cricket treadmill. Now in New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he summarises that hectic, monotonous life as he mentions 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 states. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

Yet his enthusiasm is clear, not only when he talks about the immediate future of a team that appears to be thriving guided by Harry Brook and his personal role within it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. Yet while he succeeded in curbing New Zealand’s charge as they tried to pursue England’s historic 236 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval 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, 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 great friend and now podcast co‑host Moeen Ali, only a few months older than him, ended his international cricket career last year. But Rashid remains integral: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count to 19, six ahead of any other England player. Just three England bowlers have claimed as many T20I wickets in one 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 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 affirms. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. I continue to hold that zeal for England. I feel that once the passion fades, or whatever occurs, that’s when you think: ‘OK, right, let’s have a real think about it’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“I desire to join this team, this group we have currently, 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’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. 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 instead of starts: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid notes. “Several new players are present. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s simply part of the rotation. But we’ve got experience, we’ve got youth, we include elite performers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent coach, and each person supports our objectives. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s inherent to the sport, but we’re definitely focused and really on the ball, for whatever lies ahead.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, and the hiring of ex-All Blacks mental coach 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 perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he conveys. “We experience a familial atmosphere, 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 guarantee we stay together, that solidarity we possess, that fellowship.

“It’s a great quality, each person defends their teammates and that’s the atmosphere Baz and we aim to establish, and we have created. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he’s on it in that sense. And he aims to generate that climate. Indeed, we are tranquil, we are serene, 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 ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”