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

Following a decade and a half since his debut, the veteran spinner would be justified in feeling exhausted by the international cricket treadmill. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he summarises that frantic, repetitive schedule as he mentions the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown that launched England’s winter tour: “Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity when you’re always on tour,” he says. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

However, his passion is obvious, not only when he talks about the near-term prospects of a team that appears to be thriving guided by Harry Brook and his own place in it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. But while he was able to stop New Zealand in their tracks as they tried to pursue England’s historic 236 at Hagley Oval in Christchurch 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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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, midway through the T20 World Cup. By the time the next one‑day international version is played towards the end of 2027 he’ll be approaching 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, stepped away from global cricket the previous year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: those four wickets took him to 19 so far this year, six ahead of any other England player. 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 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 affirms. “Personally, I believe that’s the top accomplishment in any athletic field. 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’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“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. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. I always like to stay present – a game at a time, a step at a time – and permit matters to evolve, watch where the game and life guide me.”

In numerous aspects, now is not the period to ponder finishes, but rather of beginnings: a renewed side with a changed leader, a changed mentor and new vistas. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid notes. “There are a few new faces. Some have departed, some have joined, and that’s just part of the cycle. But we’ve got experience, we’ve got youth, we’ve got world‑class players, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, and everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Yes, there’s going to be hiccups along the way, that’s typical in cricket, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for whatever lies ahead.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, and the appointment of previous All Blacks mindset trainer Gilbert Enoka, suggests there is a particular focus on creating something more from this group of players than just an XI. and Rashid feels this is a distinct asset of McCullum’s.

“We perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he says. “We experience a familial atmosphere, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, if your outing is strong or weak. 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 ideally, we shall, irrespective of performance outcomes.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he’s on it in that sense. And he aims to generate that climate. Certainly, we are at ease, we are cool, but we confirm that when we step onto the ground we are attentive and we are giving our all. A lot of credit goes to Baz for creating that environment, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”