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

After 16 years after his initial cap, Adil Rashid might be excused for tiring of the non-stop cricket circuit. Currently in New Zealand for his 35th global T20 event, he describes that frantic, repetitive schedule as he mentions the group-connecting brief holiday in Queenstown with which England started their winter: “At times, these moments are scarce during endless tours,” he states. “You arrive, practice, compete, and move on.”

However, his passion is obvious, not only when he talks about the upcoming path of a side that seems to be flourishing guided by Harry Brook and his own place in it, plus when seeing Rashid drill, perform, or spin. But while he was able to stop New Zealand in their tracks 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, he cannot do anything to stop time.

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In February, Rashid hits the age of 38, 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 close pal and current podcast partner Moeen Ali, just a few months his senior, retired from international cricket last year. However, Rashid continues essential: that four-wicket performance raised his annual count to 19, half a dozen beyond another English bowler. 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 there are still no thoughts of the end; his focus remains on bringing down opponents, not curtains.

“One hundred per cent I’ve still got the hunger, the hunger to play for England and represent my country,” Rashid says. “From my view, that’s the greatest success in all sports. I still have that passion there for England. 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 hold that drive, and much cricket remains.

“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 don’t know what’s going to happen. Just ahead, situations can shift rapidly. Life and the sport are immensely volatile. I aim to keep focused on the now – each game separately, each phase gradually – and let things unfold, see where cricket and life takes me.”

From several perspectives, this isn’t the moment to consider conclusions, but rather of beginnings: a novel squad with a different skipper, a different coach and fresh prospects. “We have begun that voyage,” Rashid comments. “There are a few new faces. Some have gone out, some have come in, and that’s just part of the cycle. Yet we possess know-how, we have young talent, we feature top-tier cricketers, we employ Brendon McCullum, a superb mentor, and each person supports our objectives. Certainly, there will be obstacles during the journey, that’s inherent to the sport, but we are surely dedicated and completely prepared, for all future challenges.”

The desire to schedule that Queenstown trip, and the appointment of previous All Blacks mindset trainer 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 conveys. “We enjoy a family-like setting, encouraging each other no matter success or failure, if your outing is strong or weak. We’re trying to make sure we stick to our morals in that way. Let’s make sure we stick together, that unity we have, that brotherhood.

“It’s a great quality, each person defends their teammates and that’s the environment that Baz and we are trying to create, and we have developed. And with luck, we will, no matter if our day is successful or not.

“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 desires to foster that setting. Indeed, we are tranquil, we are serene, but we confirm that when we step onto the ground we are attentive and we are giving our all. A lot of credit goes to Baz for creating that environment, and ideally, we can sustain that for an extended period.”