Asif won the man-of-the-series award against Sri Lanka

The 23-year-old is in line to take the new ball, with Shoaib Akhtar ruled out and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan struggling to overcome injury in time.

"It is a great challenge to spearhead the attack and I am ready for it," said Asif, who took 10 wickets for Pakistan A against England in Lahore last year.

"Inzamam and (Bob) Woolmer have always told me to believe in my abilities."

Asif was wicketless on his debut against Australia in Sydney in January 2005, but captured 11-71 in his fifth and most recent Test, against Sri Lanka in Kandy.

He has experience of English conditions, having played seven matches for Leicestershire this season, in which he claimed 25 wickets. "It was a great benefit and I hope I can utilise it," he said.

A final decision on Naved will be made in a few days.

If he is ruled out and requires surgery, either left-arm paceman Samiullah Niazi or veteran spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, currently with Sussex, will join the squad.