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More than 16 years from his first appearance, the veteran spinner could be forgiven for growing weary of the international cricket treadmill. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he describes that busy, routine existence as he mentions the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown which began England’s cold-weather campaign: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he remarks. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

However, his passion is obvious, not merely when he reflects on the immediate future of a squad that looks to be blooming under Harry Brook and his own place in it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. Although he managed to halt New Zealand’s progress as they aimed to overhaul England’s monumental 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, during the T20 World Cup’s middle phase. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he’ll be approaching 40. His close pal and current podcast partner 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. Only three English bowlers have taken so many T20 international wickets in a calendar 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 concentration is on overcoming foes, not ending his journey.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid declares. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. I continue to hold that zeal for England. I think that when the passion does die down, or whatever it is, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I’ve got that passion, there’s a lot of cricket to be played.

“I want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, 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 anticipate hopefully taking part in that voyage.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. 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.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but instead of starts: a renewed side with a changed leader, a changed mentor and new vistas. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid says. “A handful of fresh members exist. 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’ve got world‑class players, we’ve got Brendon McCullum, who’s a very, very good coach, and all are committed to our goals. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s part and parcel of the game, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for all future challenges.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, 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 believes this is a particular strength of McCullum’s.

“We feel like a unit,” he says. “We feel like a family kind of environment, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, you have a good day or a bad day. 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 environment that Baz and we are trying to create, and we have created. And ideally, we shall, irrespective of performance outcomes.

“Baz is quite calm, easygoing, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he is diligent in that regard. And he desires to foster that setting. 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. Significant acknowledgment is due to Baz for building that milieu, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”