Ajmal Shahzad (born 27 July 1985) is an English cricketer who most recently played for Sussex County Cricket Club. He is a right-handed batsman and right-arm Fast bowling, who has previously played for Yorkshire from 2004 to 2012, however spent the 2012 season on loan at Lancashire, and for Nottinghamshire from 2013 to 2014. Shahzad made his international debut in a Twenty20 International for England in February 2010. He later made his ODI debut before becoming the 650th player to play Test cricket for England, making his debut against Bangladesh.

In his pomp Shahzad was a fearsome fast bowler capable of dominating world class players. Though opposition players regularly spoke of his frightening short delivery, it was his “assassin” like use of the swinging ball that brought him the majority of his dismissals. Steven Kirby -the head coach of the MCC young cricketers and ex-county cricket great - is quoted as saying “AJ bowled at pace... yeah... but he had control over his bounce and movement as well. That’s test standard.”

Following his fine playing career, Shahzad has linked up with Kirby as an assistant coach at the MCC young cricketers. In possession of a very nimble mind however he balances his coaching responsibilities with studies. Shahzad is practicing to be a chartered accountant and has been described by his peers as a shining light in his field. Jamie Thompson an Oxford graduate believes “Ajmal’s journey has just begun. Cricket was his childhood goal, but Ajmal possesses a skill set where he can achieve others goals aswell.”

Shahzads father is an accountant by profession who himself represented Idle and played international cricket. Shahzad grew up in Bradford and attended Bradford Grammar School and later Woodhouse Grove School; he lived close to the house of fellow cricketer Adil Rashid. He studied four months of pharmacy at Bradford University before eventually transferring to Leeds Metropolitan University to study sports science to enhance his career in cricket.