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

Following 16 years since his debut, England’s seasoned bowler could be forgiven for feeling exhausted by the international cricket treadmill. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he outlines that hectic, monotonous life when talking about the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity when you’re always on tour,” he says. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

Yet his enthusiasm is clear, not just when he discusses the immediate future of a side that seems to be flourishing under Harry Brook and his individual spot on 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, as his four-wicket spell claimed almost all of their top five batsmen, he cannot do anything to stop time.

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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, midway through the T20 World Cup. 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, ended his international cricket career last year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally 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. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his concentration is on overcoming foes, not ending his journey.

“Absolutely, I maintain the desire, the hunger to play for England and represent my country,” Rashid affirms. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. 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’. Currently, I haven’t contemplated anything different. I possess that passion, with plenty of cricket ahead.

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

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. 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 numerous aspects, now is not the period to ponder finishes, but instead of starts: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid comments. “Several new players are present. 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 each person supports our objectives. Indeed, setbacks will occur on the path, that’s typical in cricket, but we’re definitely focused and really on the ball, 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 feel like a unit,” he conveys. “We experience a familial atmosphere, supporting one another irrespective of performance, you have a good day or a bad day. We attempt to ensure we adhere to our principles thus. 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 atmosphere Baz and we aim to establish, and we have developed. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he is focused in that aspect. And he wants to create that environment. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, but we’re making sure that when we go on that pitch we’re focused and we’re going for it. Significant acknowledgment is due to Baz for building that milieu, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”