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

After over 16 seasons since his debut, Adil Rashid might be excused for tiring of the global cricket grind. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he outlines that busy, routine existence as he mentions the squad-uniting short trip in Queenstown that launched England’s winter tour: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he says. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

Yet his enthusiasm is clear, not merely when he reflects on the near-term prospects of a squad that looks to be blooming guided by Harry Brook and his individual spot on it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. Although he managed to halt New Zealand’s progress 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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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 approaching 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, merely some months elder, stepped away from global cricket the previous year. But Rashid remains integral: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally 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. But there are still no thoughts of the end; his concentration is on overcoming foes, not ending his journey.

“Totally, I retain the appetite, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid affirms. “As an individual, I think that’s the biggest achievement in any sport. 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 possess that passion, with plenty of cricket ahead.

“I desire to join this team, this group we have currently, on the next journey we have, 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’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We are unaware of what will occur. Around the corner things can change very quickly. Existence and cricket are highly uncertain. I always like to stay present – a game at a time, a step at a time – and allow events to develop, observe where cricket and existence lead me.”

In many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but instead of starts: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid says. “There are a few new faces. Some have departed, some have joined, and that’s just part of the cycle. However, we hold expertise, we contain new blood, 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 inherent to the sport, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for whatever lies ahead.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, and the hiring of ex-All Blacks mental 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 feel like a unit,” he conveys. “We experience a familial atmosphere, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, you have a good day or a bad day. We’re trying to make sure we stick to our morals in that way. 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 developed. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“Baz is quite calm, easygoing, but he is sharp in his mentoring role, he is diligent in that regard. And he aims to generate that climate. Certainly, we are at ease, we are cool, 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 hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”