On 28 January 2012, in his 20th Test, Ajmal became the quickest Pakistani to take 100 test wickets. He holds the record of leading wicket taker (85) in Twenty20 International cricket. He was signed by Adelaide Strikers for the 2012 Big Bash League in Australia.[5]

In 2014 he was banned by the ICC because of an illegal bowling action. Saqlain Mushtaq is currently working with Ajmal to correct his bowling action.

On December 27 2014, Saeed Ajmal withdrew his name from the Pakistani World Cup squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 after he was unable to rectify his bowling action.

In the honour of his services for the country he received Sitara-e-Imtiaz by President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain on 23rd March 2015, it is the third highest civilian award of Pakistan.