‘I still have 100% passion’: England’s evergreen Rashid is not finished yet

After a decade and a half after his initial cap, England’s seasoned bowler would be justified in feeling exhausted by the international cricket treadmill. Now in New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he summarises that frantic, repetitive schedule while discussing the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he says. “You arrive, practice, compete, and move on.”

But his zeal is evident, not merely when he reflects on 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. But while he was able to stop New Zealand in their tracks as they attempted to chase down England’s record‑breaking 236 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Monday night, with his four dismissals covering four of their leading five run-getters, there is nothing he can do to halt time.

Australia’s Scott Boland shuts out noise from former England players before Ashes

Rashid will turn 38 in February, during the T20 World Cup’s middle phase. By the time the next one‑day international version is played towards the end of 2027 he will be nearly 40. His great friend and now podcast co‑host Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, stepped away from global cricket the previous year. But Rashid remains integral: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count to 19, half a dozen beyond another English bowler. Merely three English cricketers have achieved such T20 international wickets in a single year: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, and Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and now 2025. But no plans exist for conclusion; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the hunger to play for England and represent my country,” Rashid declares. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. I continue to hold that zeal for England. I think that when the passion does die down, or whatever it is, 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 aim to belong to this side, this roster we possess today, along the forthcoming path we tread, which hopefully will be nice and I want to be part of it. With luck, we can achieve victories and secure World Cups, all the positive outcomes. And I await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We cannot predict future events. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. I aim to keep focused on the now – each game separately, each phase gradually – and permit matters to evolve, watch where the game and life guide 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’re on that journey,” Rashid comments. “Several new players are present. Some have gone out, some have come in, and that’s merely part of the process. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we feature top-tier cricketers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent coach, and all are committed to our goals. Certainly, there will be obstacles during the journey, that’s part and parcel of the game, but we’re definitely focused and really on the ball, for whatever lies ahead.”

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 feels this is a distinct asset of McCullum’s.

“We sense we are a cohesive group,” he conveys. “We experience a familial atmosphere, supporting one another irrespective of performance, if your outing is strong or weak. 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 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. 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. Much praise belongs to Baz for forming that atmosphere, and hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”