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After 16 years after his initial cap, the veteran spinner could be forgiven for feeling exhausted by the international cricket treadmill. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he summarises that busy, routine existence when talking about the group-connecting brief holiday in Queenstown that launched England’s winter tour: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he says. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

But his zeal is evident, not only when he talks about the near-term prospects of a team that appears to be thriving under Harry Brook and his personal role within it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. Yet while he succeeded in curbing New Zealand’s charge as they aimed to overhaul England’s monumental 236 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday night, when his four‑wicket haul included all but one of their five highest scorers, there is nothing he can do to halt time.

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Rashid reaches 38 years old in February, during the T20 World Cup’s middle phase. Once the following 50-over World Cup is held in late 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. 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, 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.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid declares. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. I continue to hold that zeal for England. I think that when the passion does die down, or whatever it is, that’s the moment you consider: ‘Alright, let’s seriously ponder it’. Currently, I haven’t contemplated anything different. I possess that passion, with plenty of cricket ahead.

“I desire to join this team, this group we have currently, along the forthcoming path we tread, 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’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Around the corner things can change very quickly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. I always like to stay present – a game at a time, a step at a time – and allow events to develop, observe where cricket and existence lead me.”

From several perspectives, this isn’t the moment to consider conclusions, but rather of beginnings: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid comments. “There are a few new faces. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s just part of the cycle. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, 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’re definitely focused and really on the ball, for any coming events.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, and the recruitment of the former All Blacks mental skills coach 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, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, whether your day is positive or negative. We’re trying to make sure we stick to our morals in that way. Let’s ensure we remain united, that cohesion we share, that camaraderie.

“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 relaxed, chilled out, but he is attentive regarding coaching, he is focused in that aspect. And he desires to foster that setting. Indeed, we are tranquil, we are serene, but we’re making sure that when we go on that pitch we’re focused and we’re going for it. A lot of credit goes to Baz for creating that environment, and with hope, we can continue that for much more time.”