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Following over 16 seasons after his initial cap, the veteran spinner could be forgiven for tiring of the international cricket treadmill. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he summarises that hectic, monotonous life when talking about the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown that launched England’s winter tour: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he states. “You arrive, practice, compete, and move on.”

However, his passion is obvious, not just when he discusses the near-term prospects of a team that appears to be thriving guided by Harry Brook and his individual spot on it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. Although he managed to halt New Zealand’s progress as they tried to pursue England’s historic 236 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval 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 reaches 38 years old in February, midway through the T20 World Cup. By the time the next one‑day international version is played towards the end of 2027 he’ll be close to 40. His close pal and current podcast partner Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, retired from international cricket last year. But Rashid remains integral: 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, plus Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his attention stays on defeating rivals, not closing his career.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid says. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. I continue to hold that zeal for England. In my opinion, if the enthusiasm diminishes, or something similar, that’s when you think: ‘OK, right, let’s have a real think about it’. At the moment I haven’t really thought of anything else. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“I desire to join this team, this group we have currently, during the upcoming adventure we face, which should be pleasant and I wish to participate. Ideally, we can taste success and claim World Cups, everything excellent. And I’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Around the corner things can change very quickly. 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 let things unfold, see where cricket and life takes me.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but more of origins: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We are embarked on that path,” Rashid notes. “A handful of fresh members exist. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s merely part of the process. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we include elite performers, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, and all are committed to our goals. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s typical in cricket, but we’re definitely focused and really on the ball, for all future challenges.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, and the hiring of ex-All Blacks mental coach Gilbert Enoka, suggests there is a particular focus on creating something more from this group of players than just an XI. and Rashid believes this is a particular strength of McCullum’s.

“We perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he expresses. “We enjoy a family-like setting, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, whether your day is positive or negative. 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 nice thing to have, everybody’s got each other’s backs and that’s the culture Baz and we seek to form, 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 focused in that aspect. 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. Much praise belongs to Baz for forming that atmosphere, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”