English cricketers Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali have shared a special bond on and off the field since many years. The two spinners would often bowl in tandem during their international stints with England together. With Moeen Ali calling it a day just a few weeks back, the burden of a lost friendship as well as that of managing the spin-bowling workload has weighed in on Adil Rashid, or at least it seemed to appear.
However, that didn’t appear to be the case when Adil Rashid was interviewed recently. Adil Rashid quashed any rumors floating on him following suit and retiring, and instead was more than happy to take each game as it came.
Adil Rashid the seasoned England player
Adil Rashid, England’s seasoned leg-spinner, has dismissed any notions of impending retirement. The 36-year-old cricketer from Yorkshire is currently part of the team competing in ODI series against Australia. Alongside pace bowler Jofra Archer, he is one of the two remaining members from England’s triumphant 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup squad.
Despite being the oldest player in the group by half a decade, Adil Rashid remains a key figure for England due to his exceptional leg-spinning skills.
England are currently undergoing a transition phase, following unsuccessful defenses of T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup. The team is now focusing on the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in February and the 2026 T20 World Cup and 2027 ODI World Cup. Despite initial setbacks against Australia, Rashid achieved a personal milestone by becoming only the third Englishman to claim 200 wickets in ODIs during Saturday’s match at Headingly.
He also acknowledged missing all-rounder Moeen Ali, who has retired from international cricket since being left out. Adil Rashid described Moeen as his “best friend” and admitted that their banter is missed in the team dynamics.
Adil Rashid aims for 2027 ODI World Cup and denies retirement from cricket
England’s limited-overs specialist Adil Rashid has declared that he has no plans of retiring anytime soon despite approaching his late thirties. The wrist-spinner has stated that he still harbors hopes of retiring with a few more World Cups under his belt.
The 36-year-old made his limited-overs international debut during the T20 World Cup at home in 2009 against The Netherlands. The veteran had played his last game for England in 2009 until his recall in 2015 when their white-ball revolution began. Rashid has been a constant member of the side ever since his return and found himself consistently among the wickets.
Speaking ahead of the third ODI against Australia, Adil Rashid said he wants to continue playing and is taking every game as it comes. As quoted by BBC, the Yorkshire cricketer stated:
“I have not thought about it yet. Keep playing, enjoy it, stay fit, bowl well, contribute to wins, hopefully World Cups and Champions Trophies – that is my ultimate aim. I have not thought about retiring or calling it a day any time soon. I’m playing each game and each series as it comes and if I’m still enjoying it and performing well, I’ll keep carrying on.”
During the second ODI against Australia in Leeds, the leggie became only the third England bowler after James Anderson and Darren Gough to take 200 scalps in the format. He currently has 201 wickets in 137 matches.
Adil Rashid on England’s ‘rebuilding process’
With England losing to Australia in two consecutive ODIs, the 36-year-old opined that they are in a transition process; hence, will take time to start winning. He elaborated:
“There have been big changes, new batters, new bowlers. It will take time. It will always take time when it is a rebuilding process. We have got every base covered in terms of bowling, batting, and keeping. Everything is there for us. All we have to do now is play the game of cricket, enjoy it, string a few games together of winning and then off we go.”
The Englishmen must win the third ODI on Tuesday (September 24) to keep the series alive. England are currently undergoing a transition phase, following unsuccessful defenses of T20 World Cup and ODI World Cup. The team is now focusing on the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in February and the 2026 T20 World Cup and 2027 ODI World Cup.