The promising cricketer again came under spotlight on the eve of the Tigers' second Test against Sri Lanka in his hometown as he was chosen to play his second Test after a nine-month gap.

But the team think-tank had to face a volley of questions about his inclusion and many raised questions that local pressure played the main role behind his selection in place of Alok Kapali, who was a bit unlucky in Chittagong.

"It is just a coincidence that he (Mushfiqur) is a local boy. We brought change because of team combination. There was no other thing behind the inclusion," said chief selector Faruque Ahmed, who skipped the press conference for the first time in the series but later talked with the reporters.

Coach Dav Whatmore, however, highly praised Rahim's ability in the longer-version game although he has not played any first-class match for the last six months due to his commitment to the Bangladesh Under-19s.

"To be honest, his batting suites more to the longer version and I think he will be a useful contributor in Bangladesh cricket in future. We thought that he could be a strength at number six (batting position). He had a very good U-19 tour and played a lot of cricket in the last six months and its really nice to move into international cricket after watching with one game (in Chittagong)," explained the Australian coach.

Rahim had an experience of facing pacemen like Simon Jones and Steve Harmison but many found his weakness against spin bowling.

"I think playing at Lord's was probably a harder assignment than here. But still its a test for him and it would not be an easy one," Whatmore added.

Whatmore said that it was difficult for them to drop Alok Kapali, who was considered as an all-rounder, from the squad.

"He (Alok) is not discarded at all. It was difficult to pick him and drop again. But for this game, we don't think it is a big issue. As a back-up bowler, Alok bowled only a few overs and Ashraful can do it too," he added.