Rahim was in Australia with the Under-19 team when the Faruque Ahmed-led selection panel picked the Bogra stumper for the demanding tour from outside the 20 probables.

"I could not believe it when my coach (Nazmul Abedin Fahim) told me after the second match against Australia Under-19 that I have been selected for the national side. It was beyond my imagination," said Rahim, who returned home on Friday from Australia.The 17-year-old was one of the three new faces in the national squad and his inclusion was more to give long-serving wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud some respite in the warm up matches ahead of the first Test at Lords' from May 26.

Mashud is the lone man doing the job for over a decade and still nobody has stepped up to challenge the doughty Rajshahi cricketer.

Rahim also knows that very well.

"No doubt I am excited with the call but realistically I know I will have to play the role of a filler because Mashud Bhai is still the best in the business. But I am confident that I can prove my inclusion if given the opportunity to play any match during the tour," he continued.

The talent of Rahim had been spotted when Australian trainer Andrew Selff said after a six-week specialist training camp at BKSP that he could be a future Bangladesh wicketkeeper.

"Actually the camp helped me a lot to improve my performance which was reflected during the Bangladesh A team's tour in Zimbabwe" he added.

Rahim said that he is trying to establish himself as a top-class batsman besides a wicketkeeper.

"I met Andrew in Queensland during the recent tour and he suggested me to improve my batting to win a place in the national side. These days you have to be a batsman in addition to your wicketkeeping prowess," said Rahim, whose role model is Australian ace Adam Gilchrist.

Rahim, who led the Under-19 team to nine wins down under, said that his Australian experience would help him a lot in England.

"We played on grassy and bouncy wickets which is not common in the country. Both keeping and batting was difficult in that condition. I think it was a great experience for us," he informed.

Meanwhile, Mashud welcomed the inclusion of the young wicketkeeper and said that it will reduce his workload.

"It is always nice to see someone as a contender because its helps to improve your own performance. I think it was a timely decision to add an additional wicketkeeper in the squad. I am relishing the prospect of a challenge from him," he said.