Adil Rashid: No Retirement Plans Amid England's Rebuild

Adil Rashid, the leg-spinner at 36 has no plans to retire “any time soon” as England rebuilds its white-ball teams following a disappointing year. He remains one of only two survivors from England’s 2019 World Cup-winning squad alongside pace bowler Jofra Archer. As the oldest player in the current squad by five years, Rashid plays a crucial role as a world-class leg-spinner especially as younger players join the ranks.

“I haven’t thought about retirement yet,” Rashid told the BBC. “I want to keep playing, enjoy the game, stay fit and contribute to wins. My ultimate aim is to compete in World Cups and Champions Trophies.” Despite England’s struggles in the ongoing ODI series against Australia, they lost the first two matches. However, Rashid achieved a personal milestone by becoming the third Englishman to take 200 ODI wickets during the second match at Headingley.

The team focuses on rebuilding, targeting upcoming tournaments like the Champions Trophy in February, the 2026 T20 World Cup and the 2027 ODI World Cup. Rashid emphasized that he will continue as long as he enjoys the game and performs well. However, he acknowledged that all-rounder Moeen Ali has retired from international cricket after England overlooked him for selection.

Adil Rashid described Ali as his “best friend,” highlighting the camaraderie they shared. Despite the challenges, Rashid believes in the team’s potential. “There have been big changes with new players,” he noted, adding that rebuilding takes time. He remains optimistic that England possesses the necessary talent and depth in both batting and bowling to succeed once they start stringing together victories.