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After a decade and a half after his initial cap, England’s seasoned bowler could be forgiven for feeling exhausted by the international cricket treadmill. Now in New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he describes that busy, routine existence as he mentions the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he says. “You arrive, practice, compete, and move on.”

But his zeal is evident, not just when he discusses the upcoming path 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, he cannot do anything to stop time.

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Rashid will turn 38 in February, halfway into 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. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally 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. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“Absolutely, I maintain the desire, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid says. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. That fervor for England persists within me. I feel that once the passion fades, or whatever occurs, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. Currently, I haven’t contemplated anything different. 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 hopefully will be nice and I want to be part of it. 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 cannot predict future events. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. Existence and cricket are highly uncertain. 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.”

From several perspectives, this isn’t the moment to consider conclusions, but instead of starts: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We are embarked on that path,” Rashid comments. “Several new players are present. Some have departed, some have joined, and that’s just part of the cycle. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, 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. 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 wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, 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 conveys. “We enjoy a family-like setting, 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 great quality, each person defends their teammates and that’s the environment that Baz and we are trying to create, and we have built. And hopefully we can, regardless of whether we have a good day or a bad day.

“Baz is very composed, laid-back, but he’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he is diligent in that regard. And he desires to foster that setting. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, but we ensure that once we enter the field we are concentrated and we are competing fully. Much praise belongs to Baz for forming that atmosphere, and hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”