Naimur Rahman joins select band

For Naimur Rahman Durjoy, Friday will mark the fulfilment of a dream. The 27-year-old all rounder will lead Bangladesh in their inaugural Test against India at the Bangabandhu stadium in Dhaka and in so doing, he will join the select band of nine cricketers who have had this unique honour.

James Lillywhite of England and Dave Gregory of Australia shared the signal honour at the same time. They were the captains of their respective countries in the first ever Test match played at Melbourne in March 1877. They were joined in 1889 by Owen Dunell who led South Africa in that country's first Test match against England at Port Elizabeth.

Karl Nunes of West Indies became the fourth player to experience the honour when he led his country against England at Lord's in 1928. Tom Lowry of New Zealand joined the select band in 1930 when he captained his team against England at Christchurch.

CK Nayudu led India in their first Test match against England at Lord's in 1932 and the list grew to seven when Abdul Hafeez Kardar captained Pakistan in their first Test against India at New Delhi in 1952. Thirty years later, it was the turn of Bandula Warnapura to experience the honour when he led Sri Lanka against England at Colombo. And in 1992, Dave Houghton became the ninth player to achieve this feat when he led Zimbabwe against India at Harare.