The new Bangladesh coach named his first national team yesterday alongside the second string side, which will participate in the Merdeka Cup in Malaysia.

Although the initial plan of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) had been to strike balance between the two sides for this month's two international meets, former Indian international and coach Nayeem opted to give exposure to the team that would be the base of the SAFF Championship squad.

Centre-back Nazrul Islam, who has had an outstanding season with B. League champions Abahani, will lead Bangladesh in the Nehru Cup against teams like Syria, Kyrgyzstan, Cambodia and hosts India. Goalkeeper Biplab Bhattachariya has been chosen his deputy.

The team also include Muktijoddha striker Alfaz Ahmed, who returns to the national fold from international retirement to partner Zahid Hassan Emily, the Abahani star voted player of the country's inaugural professional football league.

A mix of experience and youth, Nayeemuddin's side also have four new caps -- third keeper Mamun Khan, fullbacks Mishu and Rajib and midfielder Liton apart from defender Saikat, who had previously represented the national Olympic team.

Three of the four newcomers played for Farashganj while Mishu was impressive with Sheikh Russel.

Veteran local coach Hasanuzzaman Babloo will be in charge of the Malaysia-bound team with Hassan Al Mamun getting the armband.

The ace Muktijoddha rightback had missed international activities in the entire last season due to injury and it would help him to fightback into the main side in near future.

It would comparatively be the more experienced team with veterans like Parvez Babu, Mahmudul Hassan, Matiur Munna and Saifur Rahman Moni all having previous international experience.

Moni, however, will be the only seasoned striker with two Mohammedan first-timers -- Mohammedan's Mohammed Rony and Khulna Abahani's GM Mamun -- chosen as his partners.

"It was very difficult to select two teams simultaneously. In such a short time with weather being a constant hazard, we hardly had the time to play match," said Nayeemuddin.

"I am satisfied with the fitness. Lack of combination and understanding remain the main problem and we need to play matches," he said adding that his team beat the BKSP kids by a solitary goal in yesterday's practice match.

"The grounds here were unplayable due to rain but the players have been hundred percent sincere. I don't think there is much difference in strength between the two teams. It's now a mental job for the players to prove they are not inferior.

"The opposition teams (in Nehru Cup) would be strong but our performance would depend on how we gel together. We will not overestimate any team and not give up without a fight," the coach added.

BFF acting general secretary and chairman of National Team Management Committee Manzoor Hossain Malu backed Nayemuddin's decision to take the best team to Nehru Cup.

"The major thing is that we will have the chance to test the strength of India, who are our main rivals in the SAFF Championship," said Malu.

"We also have a few new faces so it would be good experience and exposure for them playing against India and the others.

"It's true that the team going to Merdeka would be relatively weak but I believe the players would be keen to prove themselves and try win a place in the main team.

"Syria would be too good for us but we hope to fight against Kyrgyzstan and India and I feel we should beat Cambodia," hoped Malu.

The five teams will play in league basis in New Delhi with the top two meeting in the final on August 29. Bangladesh face Syria on August 18, India on August 20, Cambodia on August 22 and Kyrgyzstan on August 24.

Bangladesh play Indonesia (August 21), Singapore (August 23) and Zimbabwe (August 25) in their group in the Merdeka Cup. The semifinals are slated for August 27 and the final on August 29.