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After a decade and a half after his initial cap, Adil Rashid would be justified in feeling exhausted by the global cricket grind. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he summarises that frantic, repetitive schedule when talking about the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he states. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

Yet his enthusiasm is clear, not merely when he reflects on the upcoming path of a team that appears to be thriving with Harry Brook and his individual spot on 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, when his four‑wicket haul included all but one of their five highest scorers, there is nothing he can do to halt time.

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Rashid reaches 38 years old 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 longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, only a few months older than him, retired from international cricket last year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally to 19, six ahead of any other England player. 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. But there are still no thoughts of the end; his concentration is on overcoming foes, not ending his journey.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, 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 still have that passion there for England. In my opinion, if the enthusiasm diminishes, or something similar, that’s the moment you consider: ‘Alright, let’s seriously ponder it’. At the moment I haven’t really thought of anything else. I possess that passion, with plenty of cricket ahead.

“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 don’t know what’s going to happen. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. Existence and cricket are highly uncertain. I prefer to remain in the moment – one match at a time, one stage at a time – and let things unfold, see where cricket and life takes me.”

In numerous aspects, now is not the period to ponder finishes, but instead of starts: a renewed side with a changed leader, a changed mentor and new vistas. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid says. “A handful of fresh members exist. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s simply part of the rotation. However, we hold expertise, we contain new blood, we include elite performers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent coach, and each person supports our objectives. Certainly, there will be obstacles during the journey, that’s typical in cricket, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for any coming events.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, and the recruitment of the former All Blacks mental skills 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 perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he expresses. “We enjoy a family-like setting, supporting one another irrespective of performance, whether your day is positive or negative. We strive to confirm we follow our ethics in that manner. Let’s guarantee we stay together, that solidarity we possess, that fellowship.

“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 created. And ideally, we shall, irrespective of performance outcomes.

“Baz is quite calm, easygoing, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he is focused in that aspect. And he desires to foster that setting. 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 with hope, we can continue that for much more time.”