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After 16 years since his debut, the veteran spinner could be forgiven for growing weary of the international cricket treadmill. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he summarises that busy, routine existence as he mentions the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown that launched England’s winter tour: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he says. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

But his zeal is evident, not only when he talks about the upcoming path of a squad that looks to be blooming with Harry Brook and his individual spot on it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. 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, when his four‑wicket haul included all but one of their five highest scorers, he cannot do anything to stop 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, only a few months older than him, retired from international cricket last year. However, Rashid continues essential: those four wickets took him to 19 so far this year, six ahead of any other England player. Only three English bowlers have taken so many T20 international wickets in a calendar 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 attention stays on defeating rivals, not closing his career.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, 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 still have that passion there 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’ve got that passion, there’s a lot of cricket to be played.

“I aim to belong to this side, this roster we possess today, on the next journey we have, which ought to be rewarding and I intend to contribute. With luck, we can achieve victories and secure World Cups, all the positive outcomes. And I await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Around the corner things can change very quickly. 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.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but more of origins: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We are embarked on that path,” Rashid notes. “There are a few new faces. Some have departed, some have joined, and that’s just part of the cycle. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we include elite performers, we’ve got Brendon McCullum, who’s a very, very good coach, and everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s typical in cricket, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for whatever lies ahead.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, 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 feels this is a distinct asset of McCullum’s.

“We feel like a unit,” he says. “We enjoy a family-like setting, supporting one another irrespective of performance, if your outing is strong or weak. We attempt to ensure we adhere to our principles thus. Let’s guarantee we stay together, that solidarity we possess, that fellowship.

“It’s a wonderful attribute, all members support one another and that’s the culture Baz and we seek to form, and we have built. And ideally, we shall, irrespective of performance outcomes.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he is diligent in that regard. And he aims to generate that climate. Certainly, we are at ease, we are cool, but we confirm that when we step onto the ground we are attentive and we are giving our all. Much praise belongs to Baz for forming that atmosphere, and with hope, we can continue that for much more time.”