‘My passion remains at 100%’: England’s ageless Rashid still going strong

More than 16 years after his initial cap, England’s seasoned bowler would be justified in growing weary of the non-stop cricket circuit. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he outlines that busy, routine existence while discussing the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “Sometimes you don’t get that opportunity when you’re always on tour,” he says. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

However, his passion is obvious, not merely when he reflects on the near-term prospects of a squad that looks to be blooming with Harry Brook and his personal role within it, and also when observing Rashid practice, compete, or deliver. But while he was able to stop New Zealand in their tracks 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, there is nothing he can do to halt time.

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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, halfway into 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 close pal and current podcast partner Moeen Ali, merely some months elder, retired from international cricket last year. However, Rashid continues essential: 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. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his concentration is on overcoming foes, not ending his journey.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the hunger to play for England and represent my country,” Rashid declares. “Personally, I believe that’s the top accomplishment in any athletic field. I still have that passion there for England. I think that when the passion does die down, or whatever it is, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I possess that passion, with plenty of cricket ahead.

“I aim to belong to this side, this roster we possess today, on the next journey we have, which hopefully will be nice and I want to be part of it. Ideally, we can taste success and claim World Cups, everything excellent. And I await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen. Around the corner things can change very quickly. It’s very unpredictable, life and cricket. 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 many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but more of origins: a renewed side with a changed leader, a changed mentor and new vistas. “We are embarked on that path,” Rashid notes. “A handful of fresh members exist. Some have gone out, some have come in, and that’s just part of the cycle. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we feature top-tier cricketers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent coach, and everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Certainly, there will be obstacles during the journey, that’s inherent to the sport, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for any coming events.”

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 perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he conveys. “We feel like a family kind of environment, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, you have a good day or a bad day. 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 built. 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 aims to generate that climate. Yes, we are relaxed, we are chilled, 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 with hope, we can continue that for much more time.”