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More than a decade and a half after his initial cap, England’s seasoned bowler might be excused for growing weary of the non-stop cricket circuit. Now in New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he summarises that hectic, monotonous life as he mentions the group-connecting brief holiday in Queenstown which began England’s cold-weather campaign: “Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity when you’re always on tour,” he states. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

Yet his enthusiasm is clear, not just when he discusses the immediate future of a squad that looks to be blooming with Harry Brook and his individual spot on it, and also when observing Rashid practice, compete, or deliver. But while he was able to stop New Zealand in their tracks as they tried to pursue England’s historic 236 at the Hagley Oval ground in Christchurch 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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Rashid reaches 38 years old in February, halfway into the T20 World Cup. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he’ll be close to 40. His close pal and current podcast partner 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, six more than any other Englishman. 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 attention stays on defeating rivals, not closing his career.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the craving to feature for England and symbolize my nation,” Rashid says. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. I still have that passion there for England. I feel that once the passion fades, or whatever occurs, that’s the moment you consider: ‘Alright, let’s seriously ponder it’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“I aim to belong to this side, this roster we possess today, during the upcoming adventure we face, 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’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. I prefer to remain in the moment – one match at a time, one stage at a time – and permit matters to evolve, watch where the game and life guide 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 are embarked on that path,” Rashid says. “A handful of fresh members exist. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s just part of the cycle. However, we hold expertise, we contain new blood, we feature top-tier cricketers, we’ve got Brendon McCullum, who’s a very, very good coach, and all are committed to our goals. Certainly, there will be obstacles during the journey, that’s typical in cricket, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for any coming events.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, and the recruitment of the former All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka, suggests there is a particular focus on creating something more from this group of players than just an XI. and Rashid feels this is a distinct asset of McCullum’s.

“We perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he expresses. “We enjoy a family-like setting, supporting one another irrespective of performance, whether your day is positive or negative. We attempt to ensure we adhere to our principles thus. Let’s ensure we remain united, that cohesion we share, that camaraderie.

“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 quite calm, easygoing, but he is attentive regarding coaching, he is diligent in that regard. And he wants to create that environment. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, but we confirm that when we step onto the ground we are attentive and we are giving our all. A lot of credit goes to Baz for creating that environment, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”