The board's decision to award the young left-handed opener the demanding job at its executive committee meeting yesterday, was a bolt from the blue for long-serving wicketkeeper Khaled Mashud, who had successfully led the team in the recently concluded Africa trip during the absence of injured skipper Habibul Bashar.

BCB general secretary Mahbubul Anam however told reporters that they have considered Shahriar in an effort to groom a future Bangladesh captain.

"It was unanimously agreed in the meeting that Shahriar will act as the deputy of Bashar for the tourney. It would be nothing new for him since he had led Bangladesh Under-19s and Bangladesh A team previously," said Mahbub while defending the board's decision.

"Most importantly Nafees attended a captaincy training programme under the supervision of Asian Cricket Council (ACC) and honestly speaking he has the ability to go all the way," he added.

When asked whether the board was taking unnecessary risk by naming Shahriar as vice-captain ahead of a proven Mashud with Bashar yet to get back to full fitness, the bearded BCB general secretary said that they were adamant to gamble with the young southpaw.

"I agree that we might have made a mistake in the previous occasion but we are very much confident this time about Shahriar. Besides, we have confirmation that Bashar will be fit for the ICC Champions Trophy," he said.

Mahbub was batting against a volley of questions after the Rajin Saleh fallout in the last ICC Champions Trophy in England in 2004.

"Bashar will start the training with the team tomorrow and he can bat within two weeks, so we can't think right at the moment that Bashar will miss the tourney," he added.

Bangladesh start their training for the second biggest tournament after World Cup today in the absence of coach Dav Whatmore who will return from Sri Lanka on August 31.