It's a very demanding job but the 18-year-old Rahim said that he was ready to take up the challenge after the Bangladesh team management decided to sacrifice Mashud in a desperate effort to bolster the batting, which was exposed in the first Test that the visitors lost by an innings and 234 runs.

"We have to bat at least four sessions in the first innings if we want to improve our performance. And that is the reason we have focused on our batting. It was not easy to leave out Pilot bhai (Khaled Mashud) but we thought Muhsfiqur as a better batting option," said Bangladesh captain Mohammad Ashraful ahead of the second Test starting today.

The new Bangladesh skipper also said that only a decent batting display could prevent yet another disaster against Sri Lanka, who won all eight Tests against the Tigers with ease.

Although the team think-tank had termed it a tough decision, Mushfiqur was not surprised by his inclusion and he was quite confident to make his debut as a wicketkeeper.

"I came here to play. It was my ultimate goal to play as a wicketkeeper, so I am looking forward to take the challenge. Besides, Pilot bhai (Khaled Mashud) wished me luck," said Mushfiqur, who made his Test debut as a batsman against England at Lord's in 2005.

His inclusion in the last World Cup in the West Indies ahead of veteran Mashud, known as a fighter, had sparked criticism in the cricketing circle but the young man from Bogra proved the selectors right.

"I don't feel any pressure. After playing some one-day matches I am now quite confident to do better in Test cricket. My main objective is to serve my team best in any capacity. I played as a batsman in my previous two Tests but had a part time experience as a keeper in the last Test in my home town (Bogra)," he said adding that his unbeaten 33 in the tour-opener was not something to cheer about.

Ashraful and interim coach Shaun Williams also spoke highly about the ability of Mushfiqur as a batsman while most of the members of the national team even rated him as one of the best batsmen in the squad because of his technique and temperament to occupy the crease.

"We felt that the team needed an extra batsman and that is why we have picked Mushfiqur. It was a tough decision to leave out Mashud because undoubtedly he is the great servant of Bangladesh cricket. We believe that Mushfiqur is capable to do better as a batsman," said Williams.

"No doubt Pilot is very experienced as a keeper but Mushfiq showed even in the practice match that he has got the quality to become a good replacement. We have also considered Sharif (Mohammad) because he could be a useful batsman down the order in addition to his ability to swing the old ball, said Ashraful.