Bangladesh will end an 11-month break from the five-day game and a resurgent West Indies will be hoping to build on their recent World Twenty20 success in the test series starting from tomorrow.
The Tigers played their last series against Pakistan in December, losing 2-0.
Rahim admitted it would be tough to play after a long absence from the Test arena.
"It's a big challenge since we are playing after a long gap," he said on Monday.
"The preparation is good, though can't say it was too good but we are training together for long and are physically and mentally okay."
The onus will again be on flamboyant opener Tamim Iqbal, who is enjoying a purple patch in the National Cricket League with three successive first-class hundreds and world-class all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who have six centuries between them.
Following the highs of the Asia Cup, Bangladesh failed to make headway WT20, and then coach Richard Pybus fell out with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and it prompted the appointment of bowling coach Shane Jurgensen for the time being.
The hosts have more reasons to mark the Test as it comes just three days after they celebrated their 12-year as Test-playing country. However, success in the longer-version has been limited to just three victories in 73 Tests.
Bangladesh played their Inaugural Test against India in Dhaka on Nov 10, 2000.
When West Indies last toured Bangladesh in 2011, the Caribbeans won the two-Test series 1-0 and the subsequent ODis 2-1 but lost the lone T20i.
But this time Sammy and Co will be desperate to achieve a whitewash. And they have renewed optimism with the return of Chris Gayle after he mended fences with West Indies authorities.
Marlon Samuels has rediscovered his appetite for the game after a spell in the wilderness while Shivnarine Chanderpaul is expected to play the role of elder statesman to the younger members of the squad.
The decision to fast-track the uncapped left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, who was part of West Indies High Performance team that toured Bangladesh recently, ahead of Shane Shillingford offers the tourists a venomous option alongside fellow spinner Sunil Narine.
The rookie has been reasonably prolific in domestic competition, and Narine has longed for a complementary partner.
Sammy hinted at Permaul's inclusion as the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium pitch is likely to offer spin with bounce.
"We had a combination we used in the past but there is young Permaul who has a good chance of playing. He came here with the academy and the high performance centre and did really well," Sammy said of the 23-year-old.
Sammy singled out flamboyant left-hander Chris Gayle's importance in the line-up.
"We all know Chris is one of our most experienced players."
"All our batsmen love to bat with him. When he is batting it becomes much easier as there is no pressure on you to score. He normally passes on his experience to the youngster.
"Hopefully what he is doing at the top of the order continues to be beneficial for the team."
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