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After over 16 seasons from his first appearance, the veteran spinner could be forgiven for tiring of the international cricket treadmill. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he describes that frantic, repetitive schedule when talking about the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown that launched England’s winter tour: “Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity when you’re always on tour,” he remarks. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

But his zeal is evident, not merely when he reflects on the immediate future of a squad that looks to be blooming guided by Harry Brook and his own place in it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. But while he was able to stop New Zealand in their tracks 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, he cannot do anything to stop time.

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Rashid will turn 38 in February, halfway into the T20 World Cup. 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, ended his international cricket career last year. But Rashid remains integral: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count to 19, half a dozen beyond another English bowler. 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 no plans exist for conclusion; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“Absolutely, I maintain the desire, the craving to feature for England and symbolize my nation,” Rashid says. “Personally, I believe that’s the top accomplishment in any athletic field. I continue to hold that zeal for England. In my opinion, if the enthusiasm diminishes, or something similar, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“I desire to join this team, this group we have currently, on the next journey we have, which should be pleasant and I wish to participate. With luck, we can achieve victories and secure World Cups, all the positive outcomes. And I await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. I always like to stay present – a game at a time, a step at a time – 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. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s just part of the cycle. But we’ve got experience, we’ve got youth, we include elite performers, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, and everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Certainly, there will be obstacles during the journey, that’s part and parcel of the game, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for whatever lies ahead.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, 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 believes this is a particular strength of McCullum’s.

“We perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he says. “We enjoy a family-like setting, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, you have a good day or a bad day. 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 wonderful attribute, all members support one another and that’s the culture Baz and we seek to form, 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 sharp in his mentoring role, he is focused in that aspect. And he aims to generate that climate. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, 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 ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”