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

More than over 16 seasons from his first appearance, Adil Rashid could be forgiven for feeling exhausted by the non-stop cricket circuit. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he summarises that frantic, repetitive schedule while discussing the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he states. “You land, you train, you play and you travel.”

However, his passion is obvious, not just when he discusses the near-term prospects of a side that seems to be flourishing with Harry Brook and his own place in it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. 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, with his four dismissals covering four of their leading five run-getters, no action can prevent the passage of time.

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Rashid will turn 38 in February, 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 close to 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, only a few months older than him, stepped away from global cricket the previous year. Yet Rashid stays crucial: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count to 19, half a dozen beyond another English bowler. Only three English bowlers have taken so many T20 international wickets in a calendar year: Graeme Swann in 2010, Sam Curran in 2022, plus Rashid in 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025. Yet there are no considerations of retirement; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the hunger to play for England and represent my country,” Rashid declares. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. That fervor for England persists within me. I feel that once the passion fades, or whatever occurs, then you reflect: ‘Okay, time to genuinely evaluate it’. Right now, I’ve not considered other options. I’ve got that passion, there’s a lot of cricket to be played.

“I want to be part of this team, this squad we’ve got now, along the forthcoming path we tread, which hopefully will be nice and I want to be part of it. With luck, we can achieve victories and secure World Cups, all the positive outcomes. And I anticipate hopefully taking part in that voyage.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. 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 many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but instead of starts: a fresh team with a new captain, a new coach and new horizons. “We’re on that journey,” Rashid says. “Several new players are present. Some have gone out, some have come in, and that’s simply part of the rotation. But we’ve got experience, we’ve got youth, we feature top-tier cricketers, we have Brendon McCullum, an excellent coach, and all are committed to our goals. Yes, there’s going to be hiccups along the way, that’s typical in cricket, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for whatever lies ahead.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, and the recruitment of the former All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka, suggests there is a particular focus on creating something more from this group of players than just an XI. and Rashid thinks this is a unique talent of McCullum’s.

“We perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he says. “We experience a familial atmosphere, supporting one another irrespective of performance, whether your day is positive or negative. 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 wonderful attribute, all members support one another and that’s the environment that Baz and we are trying to create, and we have developed. And hopefully we can, regardless of whether we have a good day or a bad day.

“Baz is very relaxed, chilled out, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he is diligent in that regard. And he aims to generate that climate. Indeed, we are tranquil, we are serene, 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.”