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After 16 years since his debut, England’s seasoned bowler could be forgiven for tiring of the international cricket treadmill. Now in New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he summarises that hectic, monotonous life as he mentions the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown that launched England’s winter tour: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he remarks. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

Yet his enthusiasm is clear, not merely when he reflects on the upcoming path of a squad that looks to be blooming guided by 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 Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Monday night, when his four‑wicket haul included all but one of their five highest scorers, no action can prevent the passage of time.

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Rashid will turn 38 in February, halfway into the T20 World Cup. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he will be nearly 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, ended his international cricket career last year. But Rashid remains integral: those four wickets took him to 19 so far this year, six more than any other Englishman. 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 focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the hunger to play for England and represent my country,” 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, 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 want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, on the next journey we have, which ought to be rewarding and I intend to contribute. 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. It’s very unpredictable, life and cricket. I aim to keep focused on the now – each game separately, each phase gradually – and allow events to develop, observe where cricket and existence lead 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 notes. “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. Certainly, there will be obstacles during the journey, that’s inherent to the sport, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for any coming events.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, and the appointment of previous All Blacks mindset trainer Gilbert Enoka, implies a specific concentration on developing additional value from this squad apart from a lineup. and Rashid feels this is a distinct asset of McCullum’s.

“We perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he expresses. “We experience a familial atmosphere, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, if your outing is strong or weak. We strive to confirm we follow our ethics in that manner. Let’s ensure we remain united, that cohesion we share, that camaraderie.

“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 very relaxed, chilled out, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he’s on it in that sense. And he wants to create that environment. Indeed, we are tranquil, we are serene, but we ensure that once we enter the field we are concentrated and we are competing fully. Much praise belongs to Baz for forming that atmosphere, and hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”