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After 16 years from his first appearance, the veteran spinner could be forgiven for growing weary of the non-stop cricket circuit. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he summarises that frantic, repetitive schedule when talking about the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown which began England’s cold-weather campaign: “Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity when you’re always on tour,” he remarks. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

However, his passion is obvious, not just when he discusses the upcoming path of a side that seems to be flourishing under Harry Brook and his own place in it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. Yet while he succeeded in curbing New Zealand’s charge as they aimed to overhaul England’s monumental 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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Rashid will turn 38 in February, during the T20 World Cup’s middle phase. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he’ll be approaching 40. His great friend and now podcast co‑host Moeen Ali, merely some months elder, ended his international cricket career last year. But Rashid remains integral: 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: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, and Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and now 2025. But there are still no thoughts of the end; his concentration is on overcoming foes, not ending his journey.

“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. I still have that passion there for England. In my opinion, if the enthusiasm diminishes, or something similar, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. Currently, I haven’t contemplated anything different. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“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 await hopefully joining that expedition.

“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 let things unfold, see where cricket and life takes me.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but rather of beginnings: a renewed side with a changed leader, a changed mentor and new vistas. “We are embarked on that path,” Rashid notes. “Several new players are present. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s simply part of the rotation. However, we hold expertise, we contain new blood, we feature top-tier cricketers, we’ve got Brendon McCullum, who’s a very, very good coach, and all are committed to our goals. Yes, there’s going to be hiccups along the way, that’s inherent to the sport, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for any coming events.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, and the appointment of previous All Blacks mindset trainer Gilbert Enoka, suggests there is a particular focus on creating something more from this group of players than just an XI. and Rashid believes this is a particular strength of McCullum’s.

“We feel like a unit,” he conveys. “We enjoy a family-like setting, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, whether your day is positive or negative. We strive to confirm we follow our ethics in that manner. Let’s make sure we stick together, that unity we have, that brotherhood.

“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 composed, laid-back, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he’s on it in that sense. And he desires to foster that setting. Indeed, we are tranquil, we are serene, but we confirm that when we step onto the ground we are attentive and we are giving our all. Significant acknowledgment is due to Baz for building that milieu, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”