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Following 16 years after his initial cap, England’s seasoned bowler could be forgiven for feeling exhausted by the global cricket grind. Now in New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he summarises that hectic, monotonous life when talking about the team-bonding mini‑break 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.”

Yet his enthusiasm is clear, not just when he discusses the near-term prospects of a team that appears to be thriving with Harry Brook and his personal role within it, and also when observing Rashid practice, compete, or deliver. Although he managed to halt New Zealand’s progress as they aimed to overhaul England’s monumental 236 at Hagley Oval 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, during the T20 World Cup’s middle phase. Once the following 50-over World Cup is held in late 2027 he’ll be close to 40. His great friend and now podcast co‑host Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, retired from international cricket last year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally to 19, six more than any other Englishman. Only three English bowlers have taken so many T20 international wickets in a calendar year: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, plus Rashid in 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 hunger to play for England and represent my country,” Rashid affirms. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. That fervor for England persists within me. I think that when the passion does die down, or whatever it is, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate 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, 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 anticipate hopefully taking part in that voyage.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. Existence and cricket are highly uncertain. 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 renewed side with a changed leader, a changed mentor and new vistas. “We are embarked on that path,” Rashid comments. “Several new players are present. 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 include elite performers, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, and all are committed to our goals. 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 aim to plan that Queenstown excursion, and the hiring of ex-All Blacks mental coach Gilbert Enoka, indicates a special emphasis on building extra from this team beyond a playing eleven. and Rashid thinks this is a unique talent of McCullum’s.

“We feel like a unit,” he expresses. “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 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 built. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“Baz is very composed, laid-back, but he is attentive regarding coaching, he is diligent in that regard. And he desires to foster that setting. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, 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.”