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

After 16 years after his initial cap, Adil Rashid could be forgiven for feeling exhausted by the international cricket treadmill. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th international T20 series or tournament, he describes that busy, routine existence while discussing the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “Occasionally, such chances are rare when constantly traveling,” he says. “You arrive, practice, compete, and move on.”

However, his passion is obvious, not merely when he reflects on the near-term prospects of a squad that looks to be blooming under Harry Brook and his personal role within it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. Although he managed to halt New Zealand’s progress as they attempted to chase down England’s record‑breaking 236 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Monday night, when his four‑wicket haul included all but one of their five highest scorers, no action can prevent the passage of 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 close pal and current podcast partner Moeen Ali, only a few months older than him, retired from international cricket last year. However, Rashid continues essential: those four dismissals brought his yearly tally 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. But no plans exist for conclusion; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the eagerness to compete for England and stand for my country,” Rashid affirms. “Personally, I believe that’s the top accomplishment in any athletic field. That fervor for England persists within me. I think that when the passion does die down, or whatever it is, that’s when you think: ‘OK, right, let’s have a real think about it’. At the moment I haven’t really thought of anything else. 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, during the upcoming adventure we face, which ought to be rewarding and I intend to contribute. Hopefully we can experience some wins and win World Cups, all the good stuff. And I’m looking forward to hopefully participating in that journey.

“We cannot predict future events. Around the corner things can change very quickly. It’s very unpredictable, life and cricket. 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.”

From several perspectives, this isn’t the moment to consider conclusions, but instead of starts: a renewed side with a changed leader, a changed mentor and new vistas. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid comments. “There are a few new faces. Certain individuals have left, others have arrived, and that’s merely part of the process. But we’ve got experience, we’ve got youth, we’ve got world‑class players, 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 inherent to the sport, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for all future challenges.”

The wish to arrange that Queenstown visit, and the recruitment of the former All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka, implies a specific concentration on developing additional value from this squad apart from a lineup. and Rashid feels this is a distinct asset of McCullum’s.

“We perceive ourselves as a unified entity,” he expresses. “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 make sure we stick together, that unity we have, that brotherhood.

“It’s a wonderful attribute, all members support one another and that’s the atmosphere Baz and we aim to establish, and we have created. 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’s on it in that sense. And he aims to generate that climate. 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 hopefully we can carry that on for a lot longer.”