Enamul's inclusion meant that there were three specialist slow bowlers for the Test that starts at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong from January 6. Veteran Mohammad Rafique and Manjarul Islam Rana complete the trio.

Chief selector Faruque Ahmed said that the decision to bring in 19-year-old Enamul after he had been left out of the series against India, was prompted by the possibility of getting a turning wicket for the opening Test of the two-match series.

"We are expecting a spin-friendly wicket and that's why we have included three spinners in the side. Enamul is the country's second best spinner after Mohammad Rafique in the longer-version," said Faruque at a press conference yesterday afternoon.

Replying to a question, Faruque said that they had instructed the curators to prepare a slow-paced wicket for the first Test but he was not confident about the eventual character of the track.

"Actually we are not technically sound enough to make pitches according to the wish of the team," he said.

The former Bangladesh captain also informed that they have gone against the idea of picking an all-rounder and have instead, focused on getting a pace combination that is genuinely nippy. So out goes Mushfiqur Rahman and young paceman Nazmul Hossain from the 14-member team for the second Test against India last month.

The selectors kept faith with Talha Jubair despite the lanky quick not being an automatic choice for his club Victoria even. He also struggled to make an impression in the only Test he played against India.

"Talha might not have been successful against India but we still believe that he could be a real strike bowler in Tests. Besides, people should take into consideration the quality of opposition he countered and conditions he had to bowl in before passing judgement on Talha," said Faruque.

Faruque also felt that Talha was close to full fitness after battling injury for over two years and had the pace to compliment Mashrafee bin-Mortuza and Tapash Baisya.

The chief selector also hinted that Mohammed Ashraful's leg-spin could be employed against the Zimbabweans.

Regarding batting, Faruque said that they were heartened by the performance of fringe players like opener Shahriar Nafees Ahmed and Tushar Imran but avoided the temptation to experiment.

"Everybody knows how important this series is for us because the strength of the two sides are almost the same. There is high expectation and pressure on Bangladesh. So our emphasis has been on experience."

Faruque justified retaining Rajin Saleh who has had a horrendous time with the bat in recent times but showed signs of returning to form with an innings high 82 in the third and final ODI against India.

"He appears to have found his touch back. Besides, we hardly have any better option," said Faruque.

Faruque admitted that the side would have had proper balance if there was a genuine off-spinner and the name of former Bangladesh captain Naimur Rahman invariably popped up at the media conference. But Faruque said that there was virtually no possibility of the 29-year-old coming back in the Test matches after a gap of three years.

"We believe we have picked the best available side. We did not consider Naimur for the Test series and it is too early to talk about his chances in the one-day side."

Faruque informed that Alok Kapali was in line for a recall but a wrist injury ruled him out. "We will assess his condition before the second Test," said Faruque.

The Bangladesh team leaves for Chittagong today.

SQUAD
Habibul Bashar (captain), Khaled Mashud (vice-captain), Javed Omar, Nafees Iqbal, Mohammad Ashraful, Aftab Ahmed, Manzarul Islam Rana, Mohammad Rafique, Tapash Baisya, Mashraffe Mortuza, Talha Jubair, Tapash Baisya and Enamul Haque (Jr).