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After 16 years from his first appearance, Adil Rashid could be forgiven for tiring of the international cricket treadmill. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he describes that busy, routine existence as he mentions the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown which began England’s cold-weather campaign: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he remarks. “You arrive, practice, compete, and move on.”

Yet his enthusiasm is clear, not only when he talks about the upcoming path of a team that appears to be thriving under Harry Brook and his personal role within it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. Although he managed to halt New Zealand’s progress as they tried to pursue England’s historic 236 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval 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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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, halfway into the T20 World Cup. Once the following 50-over World Cup is held in late 2027 he’ll be approaching 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: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally to 19, six more than any other Englishman. Just three England bowlers have claimed as many T20I wickets in one year: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, and Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and now 2025. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid says. “Personally, I believe that’s the top accomplishment in any athletic field. That fervor for England persists within me. 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’. At the moment I haven’t really thought of anything else. 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. With luck, we can achieve victories and secure World Cups, all the positive outcomes. And I’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. Existence and cricket are highly uncertain. 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.”

From several perspectives, this isn’t the moment to consider conclusions, but more of origins: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid comments. “There are a few new faces. Some have gone out, some have come in, and that’s simply part of the rotation. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we feature top-tier cricketers, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, 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 all future challenges.”

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 thinks this is a unique talent of McCullum’s.

“We sense we are a cohesive group,” he conveys. “We enjoy a family-like setting, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, you have a good day or a bad day. We’re trying to make sure we stick to our morals in that way. 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 created. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, 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.”