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After 16 years after his initial cap, England’s seasoned bowler could be forgiven for tiring of the non-stop cricket circuit. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he summarises that hectic, monotonous life while discussing the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” 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 side that seems to be flourishing under Harry Brook and his own place in it, and also when observing Rashid practice, compete, or deliver. Yet while he succeeded in curbing New Zealand’s charge 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.

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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, during the T20 World Cup’s middle phase. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near 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. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally to 19, six more than any other Englishman. 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 there are still no thoughts of the end; his concentration is on overcoming foes, not ending his journey.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid says. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. 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’ve got that passion, there’s a lot of cricket to be played.

“I want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, on the next journey we have, which ought to be rewarding and I intend to contribute. Hopefully we can experience some wins and win World Cups, all the good stuff. And I await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. It’s very unpredictable, life and cricket. I prefer to remain in the moment – one match at a time, one stage at a time – and permit matters to evolve, watch where the game and life guide me.”

From several perspectives, this isn’t the moment to consider conclusions, 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. “A handful of fresh members exist. Some have departed, some have joined, and that’s simply part of the rotation. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we’ve got world‑class players, we’ve got Brendon McCullum, who’s a very, very good coach, and each person supports our objectives. Certainly, there will be obstacles during the journey, that’s typical in cricket, but we’re definitely focused and really on the ball, for all future challenges.”

The aim to plan that Queenstown excursion, and the hiring of ex-All Blacks mental coach Gilbert Enoka, indicates a special emphasis on building extra from this team beyond a playing eleven. and Rashid believes this is a particular strength of McCullum’s.

“We feel like a unit,” he expresses. “We feel like a family kind of environment, supporting one another irrespective of performance, whether your day is positive or negative. We’re trying to make sure we stick to our morals in that way. Let’s make sure we stick together, that unity we have, that brotherhood.

“It’s a nice thing to have, everybody’s got each other’s backs and that’s the culture Baz and we seek to form, and we have developed. And ideally, we shall, irrespective of performance outcomes.

“Baz is very composed, laid-back, but he is attentive regarding coaching, he is diligent in that regard. And he wants to create that environment. Certainly, we are at ease, we are cool, but we ensure that once we enter the field we are concentrated and we are competing fully. A lot of credit goes to Baz for creating that environment, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”