The former national captain, who played his last Test against England at home in November 2003, has only played in one-day internationals since. But his outstanding performances for Dhaka in the National League this season and his experience in English conditions opened a small window for a Test recall.

Mahmud has scored 440 runs from seven games including a century at a healthy average of 55 and taken 24 wickets for champions Dhaka in the domestic first-class competition.

The 33-year-old all-rounder is now in the camp for 20 probables in Chittagong, where the national selectors will sit today to finalise the squad for the two Tests against England.

Bangladesh will embark on their first full series in England next month with the first Test starting at Lord's on May 26.

Although English conditions suit Mahmud's style of bowling, the four-man selection panel led by Faruque Ahmed were in a dilemma whether to bank on his experience or give younger players an exposure.

The selectors however made their mind on including five pacers for the demanding tour that included three three-day matches in the build-up to the two Tests.

Young fast bowler Shahadat Hossain looks sure to get the nod beside automatic choices Mashrafee-Bin-Mortuza and Tapash Baisya but Talha Jubair's minor injury is keeping the selectors guessing.

Anwar Munir and Nazmul Hossain are the other specialist seamers in the squad and if the selection panel finally ignores Mahmud in favour of young blood, it would not be surprising.

They can even take all six, sacrificing one spinner from among Mohammad Rafique, Enamul Haque and Manzarul Islam.

With Tushar Imran and Abdur Razzak to be considered for the one-dayers only, the remaining eight players -- all specialist batsmen including wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud -- of the squad are going to make the trip.

It means rookie opener Shahriar Nafees, an insurance for Nafees Iqbal -- who has been suffering from a back pain -- will be on his first tour with the national team as well as Shahadat.

Nafees, who showed his mettle during Bangladesh A team's tour of England and Zimbabwe, will also fill the long-time absence of a specialist left-handed batsman in the side.

The squad had their first nets at the Chittagong Divisional Stadium today under coach Dav Whatmore, the only man whose future is yet to be settled.

The contract of the Australian-born Sri Lankan coach with the BCB expires at the end of this month and the two parties have yet to sign a fresh deal.