The 20-year old right-hander, who has already made his one-day debut against England last October, was the only new face in the 14-member squad for the first Test starting at the Bangabandhu National Stadium on Tuesday.

The nephew of the former national captain Akram Khan was excited at his maiden call up in a Test side.

"It is the dream of any cricketer to play in a Test match. So, I want to repay the selectors for their faith in me if I'm picked for the final eleven," said the batsman after the three-day match against the tourists ended as a draw.

Chief selector Faruque Ahmed while announcing the squad explained that selectors had not made any major changes from the one that toured West Indies.

"We don't believe in chopping and changing the squad. Even though Nafees failed to score in the first innings of the tour match here at the BKSP, still we believe he has the potential to produce a big innings," Faruque said.

"Our performances in Zimbabwe and West Indies was satisfactory and that's why we are trying to find a good combination from among those players who went on the two tours."

However, the inclusion of Alamgir Kabir was the real surprise as the 24-year old right-arm pacer's three previous Test appearances have been less than impressive. But Faruque defended his selection.

"We had no choice but to include him with both pacers Mashrafee and Talha still nursing injures. Right now Alamgir is performing well as he did with three wickets in the three-dayer," Faruque told reporters.

Two familiar names -- Opener Hannan Sarker and all-rounder Alok Kapli -- received the thumbs-up from the three-member selection panel.

Following two consecutive first-ball ducks in West Indies, Hannan has been overlooked for the Asia Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy. But the right-hander's gritty 44 showed that he has been working hard to improve his technique.

In the case of Kapali who skippered the BCB XI in the lone practice match, Selectors were ready to the give another chance. May be the other possible reason for his inclusion was if Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar failed a late fitness test on the injured thumb.

"We are desperately hoping Bashar recovers in time for the Test. If necessary we will wait until the day before the first Test before making decision. It goes without saying his presence in the team is a source of inspiration," said Faruque.

Bashar, who complained of pain in the right thumb during the net session on Thursday, couldn't bat yesterday either at the Bangaban-dhu National Stadium.

SQUAD
Habibul Bashar (captain), Rajin Saleh (vice-captain), Javed Omar Belim, Hannan Sarker, Mohammed Ashraful, Nafees Iqbal, Alok Kapali, Khaled Mashud, Mushfiqur Rahman, Manzarul Islam Rana, Mohammed Rafique, Tapash Baishya, Tareq Aziz Khan and Alamgir Kabir.