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

After 16 years after his initial cap, Adil Rashid would be justified in tiring of the global cricket grind. Presently touring New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he summarises that frantic, repetitive schedule 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 states. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

But his zeal is evident, not only when he talks about the near-term prospects of a side that seems to be flourishing with Harry Brook and his personal role within 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, 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, during the T20 World Cup’s middle phase. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he’ll be approaching 40. His great friend and now podcast co‑host Moeen Ali, only a few months older than him, stepped away from global cricket the previous year. However, Rashid continues essential: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count 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. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his attention stays on defeating rivals, not closing his career.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the hunger to play for England and represent my country,” Rashid says. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. That fervor for England persists within me. In my opinion, if the enthusiasm diminishes, or something similar, that’s when you think: ‘OK, right, let’s have a real think about 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, during the upcoming adventure we face, 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’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We cannot predict future events. 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 let things unfold, see where cricket and life takes me.”

In numerous aspects, now is not the period to ponder finishes, but more of origins: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid comments. “Several new players are present. Some have departed, some have joined, and that’s just part of the cycle. However, we hold expertise, we contain new blood, we feature top-tier cricketers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent 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 desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, 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 enjoy a family-like setting, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, 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 great quality, each person defends their teammates and that’s the culture Baz and we seek to form, and we have built. And hopefully we can, regardless of whether we have a good day or a bad day.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he’s on the ball in terms of coaching, he’s on it in that sense. And he wants to create that environment. Certainly, we are at ease, we are cool, but we’re making sure that when we go on that pitch we’re focused and we’re going for it. Much praise belongs to Baz for forming that atmosphere, and with hope, we can continue that for much more time.”