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

Following a decade and a half since his debut, Adil Rashid might be excused for tiring of the non-stop cricket circuit. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th T20 international competition, he outlines that frantic, repetitive schedule as he mentions the team-bonding mini‑break in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he remarks. “Touch down, drill, perform, and journey.”

However, his passion is obvious, not only when he talks about the upcoming path of a team that appears to be thriving guided by Harry Brook and his individual spot on it, but also when watching Rashid train, play or bowl. 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, he cannot do anything to stop time.

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Rashid will turn 38 in February, halfway into the T20 World Cup. When the next ODI World Cup occurs near the end of 2027 he’ll be close to 40. His longtime friend and present podcast colleague Moeen Ali, merely some months elder, retired from international cricket last year. But Rashid remains integral: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count 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 craving to feature for England and symbolize my nation,” Rashid declares. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. I continue to hold that zeal for England. 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’. Currently, I haven’t contemplated anything different. 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 should be pleasant and I wish to participate. Ideally, we can taste success and claim World Cups, everything excellent. And I await hopefully joining that expedition.

“We cannot predict future events. Nearby, circumstances can alter swiftly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. 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 many ways this is no time to be thinking of endings, but rather of beginnings: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We are embarked on that path,” Rashid notes. “Several new players are present. Some have gone out, some have come in, and that’s just part of the cycle. However, we hold expertise, we contain new blood, we include elite performers, we’ve got Brendon McCullum, who’s a very, very good coach, and everybody’s buying in to what we’re trying to achieve. Yes, there’s going to be hiccups along the way, that’s typical in cricket, but we are undoubtedly concentrated and fully attentive, for any coming events.”

The aim to plan that Queenstown excursion, and the appointment of previous All Blacks mindset trainer Gilbert Enoka, suggests there is a particular focus on creating something more from this group of players than just an XI. and Rashid feels this is a distinct asset of McCullum’s.

“We feel like a unit,” he expresses. “We enjoy a family-like setting, backing each other regardless of whether you perform or don’t perform, if your outing is strong or weak. We strive to confirm we follow our ethics in that manner. 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 developed. And hopefully we can, regardless of whether we have a good day or a bad day.

“Baz is very composed, laid-back, but he is attentive regarding coaching, he is focused in that aspect. And he wants to create that environment. 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 ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”