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More than 16 years since his debut, the veteran spinner would be justified in tiring of the international cricket treadmill. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he describes that hectic, monotonous life as he mentions the group-connecting brief holiday in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he states. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

But his zeal is evident, not only when he talks about the immediate future of a squad that looks to be blooming under 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 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, 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. Once the following 50-over World Cup is held in late 2027 he’ll be close to 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, retired from international cricket last year. But Rashid remains integral: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally to 19, six ahead of any other England player. Merely three English cricketers have achieved such T20 international wickets in a single year: Swann in 2010, Curran in 2022, and Rashid across 2021, 2022, 2024 and 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 declares. “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 when you think: ‘OK, right, let’s have a real think about it’. Currently, I haven’t contemplated anything different. I possess that passion, with plenty of cricket ahead.

“I want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, along the forthcoming path we tread, 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. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. 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 permit matters to evolve, watch where the game and life guide me.”

From several perspectives, this isn’t the moment to consider conclusions, but more of origins: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid notes. “A handful of fresh members exist. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s just part of the cycle. But we’ve got experience, we’ve got youth, we include elite performers, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, and each person supports our objectives. Certainly, there will be obstacles during the journey, that’s inherent to the sport, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for whatever lies ahead.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, and the recruitment of the former All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka, implies a specific concentration on developing additional value from this squad apart from a lineup. and Rashid thinks this is a unique talent of McCullum’s.

“We feel like a unit,” he says. “We experience a familial atmosphere, supporting one another irrespective of performance, 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 culture Baz and we seek to form, and we have created. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“Baz is very composed, laid-back, but he’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he’s on it in that sense. And he desires to foster that setting. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, but we’re making sure that when we go on that pitch we’re focused and we’re going for it. Significant acknowledgment is due to Baz for building that milieu, and with hope, we can continue that for much more time.”