Mahmood has played in four one-day international for England

Mahmood is being widely tipped to make his England debut on 11 May.

He said: "I'd like to think I'm ready for it. I bowled well in the West Indies on the England A tour.

"It would be a dream come true, especially to play it in England, at Lord's as well. I've wanted that since I was about eight years old."

He is set to get his chance because of injuries to fast bowlers Steve Harmison, Simon Jones and James Anderson.

Mahmood was set to play in the England A game against Sri Lanka, starting on Thursday, but was withdrawn in a move which was interpreted as England not wanting Sri Lanka to catch a glimpse of the 24-year-old in action.

I tried to relax and do what you normally do - just to try and do my best and see what happens Sajid Mahmood

Instead he bowled 21 overs for 55 runs for Lancashire against Kent at Old Trafford and took the wicket of Martin van Jaarsveld, who was dismissed lbw for 87.

Mahmood, who has played for England in four one-day internationals, admitted he was conscious of the extra attention on him.

"It was in the back of my mind that I've got to perform well," he said.

"The first over or so I was thinking, I've got to do this or got to do that, but then I thought, if I'm going to think about that I'm going to put pressure on myself.