Injuries tend to follow fast bowlers and Ajmal Shahzad has been no exception; he was only able to play in one first-class match in 2006. The six foot pacer persisted despite the setbacks and in 2009 became a standout performer for Yorkshire, taking 40 wickets and scoring more than 400 runs in the County Championship, demonstrating his ability and talent, not only as a bowler, but also as a lower middle-order batsman. His bowling is quick and he has also been noted for his good control as well as the mental strength which is paramount to every fast bowler.

Shahzad's efforts for Yorkshire and his performance at the English Performance Programme, a feeder system for the England team, were noticed by the national selectors and he subsequently made his international debuts in all forms of the game in 2010 against Pakistan and Bangladesh, both at home and on tour. He was then named in England’s 2010-11 Ashes squad as well as the World Cup that followed.