Shahriar won his place for his consistency in the recent one-day series while Rasel was chosen out of necessity after frontline pace bowlers Mashrafee Bin Mortuza and Tapash Baisya were ruled out due to injuries.

Shahriar was chosen to open the innings with Javed Omar after Nafees Iqbal failed to get over his lean patch in the three-day practice match ahead of the first Test.

"I believe in healthy competition. If Nafees hits 100, I have to score 120 to get into the team. It's the positive side of competitions that benefits the team," said Shahriar, who has consistently scored in the seven one-day matches he had opened for Bangladesh.

"I have been playing well in the ODIs and playing this Test on the back of that form. So it's Nafees' turn to fight and win his place back.

"My focus is on giving the team a good start. Opening is very important in five-day match because a good start helps the latter batsmen," said an elated Shahriar, who has scored two half-centuries in seven ODIs.

"I am happy but I'll only know what it feels like after playing in my maiden Test."

When asked how he planned to tackle ace left-arm pacer Chaminda Vaas and master off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan after denying them wickets in the three one-day internationals, the 19-year-old from Dhaka said that playing the red ball is totally different.

"I need to be watchful. One good ball can dismiss me, like the first innings of the three-day practice match. I was out playing a bad shot, trying to play across, in the second innings. So, my focus will be to play each ball on its merit. It's like a new page of a book."

Although Shahriar, who captained Bangladesh A, was twice dismissed by Pakistani and Surrey off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq on the tour of England, he said that it would not be difficult playing against Muralitharan with close catchers breathing down his neck.

"I will play the ball, not the fielders. I just want to maintain the flow of runs in the matches I have played so far. But I want to carry the innings longer. I'll only know at end of five days what really I've done and I am going to concentrate on playing straight and be safe," added Shahriar.

Like him, it was also a dream come true for Rasel.

"My aim is to establish myself in the Test team. I did not take many wickets in the one-dayers it gave me the confidence to bowled in the right spot," said Rasel.

Rasel did not think that without any senior partner, it would be a tough task ahead.

"Shahadat and I are not experienced but we have come this far because we are capable," said Rasel oozing with confidence.

"I need help from the wicket and if I can swing the ball, it would be better," said Rasel who is not afraid to bowl against Jayasuriya.

"I have to pitch the ball in the right place and hope that the batsmen make a mistake."

The 21-year-old from Jhikargacha said that before his departure, Mashrafee had given him some advice on how to cope with the big boys of world cricket.

"I will be happy if I can dismiss one of the Lankan openers if not getting the first wicket of the innings."