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More than a decade and a half from his first appearance, the veteran spinner might be excused for feeling exhausted by the international cricket treadmill. Now in New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he outlines that busy, routine existence while discussing the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he remarks. “You arrive, practice, compete, and move on.”

But his zeal is evident, not just when he discusses the near-term prospects of a squad that looks to be blooming with Harry Brook and his personal role within it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. But while he was able to stop New Zealand in their tracks as they attempted to chase down England’s record‑breaking 236 at the Hagley Oval ground in Christchurch on Monday night, as his four-wicket spell claimed almost all of their top five batsmen, there is nothing he can do to halt time.

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Rashid reaches 38 years old 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’ll be close to 40. His close pal and current podcast partner Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, stepped away from global cricket the previous year. However, Rashid continues essential: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally to 19, half a dozen beyond another English bowler. 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. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his attention stays on defeating rivals, not closing his career.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the craving to feature for England and symbolize my nation,” Rashid affirms. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. I still have that passion there for England. I feel that once the passion fades, or whatever occurs, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I possess that passion, with plenty of cricket ahead.

“I want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, 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 await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. Existence and cricket are highly uncertain. 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 renewed side with a changed leader, a changed mentor and new vistas. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid says. “There are a few new faces. Some have gone out, some have come in, and that’s simply part of the rotation. But we’ve got experience, we’ve got youth, we feature top-tier cricketers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent coach, and everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Yes, there’s going to be hiccups along the way, that’s typical in cricket, but we’re definitely focused and really on the ball, for any coming events.”

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 believes this is a particular strength of McCullum’s.

“We sense we are a cohesive group,” he conveys. “We experience a familial atmosphere, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, you have a good day or a bad day. We strive to confirm we follow our ethics in that manner. 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 atmosphere Baz and we aim to establish, and we have created. And ideally, we shall, irrespective of performance outcomes.

“Baz is very composed, laid-back, but he is attentive regarding 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.”