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

Following 16 years since his debut, the veteran spinner would be justified in growing weary of the non-stop cricket circuit. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he outlines that busy, routine existence when talking about the group-connecting brief holiday in Queenstown which began England’s cold-weather campaign: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he remarks. “You arrive, practice, compete, and move on.”

But his zeal is evident, not merely when he reflects on the near-term prospects of a squad that looks to be blooming with 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 attempted to chase down England’s record‑breaking 236 at the Hagley Oval ground in Christchurch on Monday night, with his four dismissals covering four of their leading five run-getters, no action can prevent the passage of 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 close to 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, retired from international cricket last year. However, Rashid continues essential: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally to 19, six ahead of any other England player. Merely three English cricketers have achieved such T20 international wickets in a single 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.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the craving to feature for England and symbolize my nation,” Rashid says. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. I still have that passion there 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’ve got that passion, there’s a lot of cricket to be played.

“I desire to join this team, this group we have currently, along the forthcoming path we tread, 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 are unaware of what will occur. 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 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 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. Some have gone out, some have come in, and that’s just part of the cycle. 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 everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s part and parcel of the game, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for any coming events.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, and the appointment of previous All Blacks mindset trainer Gilbert Enoka, indicates a special emphasis on building extra from this team beyond a playing eleven. and Rashid feels this is a distinct asset of McCullum’s.

“We sense we are a cohesive group,” he conveys. “We enjoy a family-like setting, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, whether your day is positive or negative. We attempt to ensure we adhere to our principles thus. 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 relaxed, chilled out, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he is focused in that aspect. And he aims to generate that climate. Certainly, we are at ease, we are cool, 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 hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”