England in no mood to fear return of Yousuf

The tourists sent out an SOS to the experienced batsman after their top order was blown away in both innings of the first Test at Trent Bridge, having also struggled for runs against Australia.

The 35-year-old brings a Test average of 53 with him to this week's second match at Edgbaston, although he has not played for his country since being banned indefinitely in January and subsequently retiring, a decision he rescinded last month.

"It's probably a boost for Pakistan," said Swann. "We don't focus too much on what the opposition are doing, but when a player of Yousuf's ability comes in you have to sit back and say: 'How are we going to attack this player; how are we going to nullify that threat?'

"He will be a threat. He's a world-class player, but the way we're bowling, especially Jimmy (Anderson] and Steven Finn up at Trent Bridge, we won't mind who we're bowling at." Anderson in particular was in irresistible form in Nottingham, returning match figures of 11 for 71.

Much was made of the weak batting which saw Pakistan subside to 47 for six in their first innings - requiring an unlikely unbeaten 65 from Umar Gul to avoid the follow-on - before being bowled out for 80 second time around.

But Swann said: "Whoever we played, they'd have had to play very well to counteract the swing bowling of James Anderson. They were quite unlucky to find us in good form with the ball. It's what we hoped to do, but you don't always hit your straps like Jimmy did. We're delighted, but we need to make sure here at Edgbaston we're equally on fire.

"We're very effective in our home conditions and we aim to carry that on for the next three games."

England's catching was also praised, with Swann, Paul Collingwood and captain Andrew Strauss combining for ten scalps in an exemplary display in the slips. "Colly was outstanding; he took two catches that would have hit me flush on the forehead," Swann claimed.

"Our fielding coach is always saying: 'Let's have the perfect game, not let any chances go.' I think Jonathan Trott had one with a full-length dive that hit the end of his fingers, so it was by no means the perfect game! But if we're taking the catches and backing up the bowlers, it's good for the team."

Pakistan are confident recalled batsman Yousuf will be able to play against England, despite some confusion over whether or not the former captain had the correct documentation to come to England as a player. A Pakistan spokesman said yesterday: "He has the visa. The administrative delay has been overcome."

Yousuf, whose return caps a turbulent year in which he had a life ban overturned by the Pakistan Cricket Board, was due to reach Birmingham later today, less than 24 hours before the start of the Test, raising questions over the batsman's readiness to face England.