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More than a decade and a half since his debut, the veteran spinner would be justified in feeling exhausted by the international cricket treadmill. Now in New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he outlines that frantic, repetitive schedule while discussing the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown which began England’s cold-weather campaign: “Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity when you’re always on tour,” he remarks. “You arrive, practice, compete, and move on.”

However, his passion is obvious, not just when he discusses the immediate future of a squad that looks to be blooming guided by Harry Brook and his own place in it, and also when observing Rashid practice, compete, or deliver. Yet while he succeeded in curbing New Zealand’s charge 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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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, 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 close pal and current podcast partner Moeen Ali, only a few months older than him, 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. Just three England bowlers have claimed as many T20I wickets in one year: Swann in 2010, Curran in 2022, and Rashid across 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. But no plans exist for conclusion; his attention stays on defeating rivals, not closing his career.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the craving to feature for England and symbolize my nation,” Rashid affirms. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. I continue to hold that zeal 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, during the upcoming adventure we face, which hopefully will be nice and I want to be part of it. Ideally, we can taste success and claim World Cups, everything excellent. And I anticipate hopefully taking part in that voyage.

“We cannot predict future events. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. It’s very unpredictable, life and cricket. I aim to keep focused on the now – each game separately, each phase gradually – 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 says. “Several new players are present. Some have departed, some have joined, and that’s simply part of the rotation. 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. 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 whatever lies ahead.”

The aim to plan that Queenstown excursion, and the recruitment of the former All Blacks mental skills coach 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 says. “We feel like a family kind of environment, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, 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 wonderful attribute, all members support one another and that’s the atmosphere Baz and we aim to establish, and we have built. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he is attentive regarding coaching, he’s on it in that sense. And he desires to foster that setting. Certainly, we are at ease, we are cool, but we ensure that once we enter the field we are concentrated and we are competing fully. Significant acknowledgment is due to Baz for building that milieu, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”