Pakistan confident over Yousuf visa

Pakistan are confident Mohammad Yousuf will be cleared to travel to the UK in time for this week's second Test against England.

Former national team captain Yousuf was prevented from joining up with his country's squad on Monday because he did not have the correct visa. But team manager Yawar Saeed expects the 35-year-old batsman to be given the green light to fly to England on Wednesday.

Explaining the visa application was being dealt with by the British High Commission in Islamabad, Saeed told Press Association Sport: "The application was given yesterday (Monday), and today they are to give their reply. So we're just waiting for their reply today sometime. He has a visa, it just that it needs to be converted into a sport visa, rather than a visitor visa. It's just a technicality."

He added: "I am very optimistic. I'm being told it should be done today.

"If it is, he should be on his way tomorrow."

Yousuf was recalled for the second Test at Edgbaston, which starts on Friday, following Pakistan's first-Test thrashing at Trent Bridge.

The veteran has not played for his country since January after being banned indefinitely following the winter tour to Australia.

Yousuf had been skipper of a squad of which nearly half were punished.

In March, days after being suspended, he elected to retire from international cricket.

But last month saw him reveal he was "ready and available to serve my country".