Mild and composed, Taufiq Umer is the new addition to the glut of Pakistan openers who sets his sights on partnering or replacing Saeed Anwar in the Test side.

As Pakistan prepares to take on minnows Bangladesh in the first of two Tests in Dhaka, Umer ushers a new era in Pakistan cricket.

The left hander from Lahore becomes Pakistan's number one opener as experienced Saeed Anwar pulled out of the tour with fractured wrist.

Many doubt Anwar will return to cricket fields again after turning into a devout Muslim and a preacher.

Hanif was Pakistan's most successful opener

Umer will open the innings either with another left hander Shadab Kabir or right hander Naveed Latif.

"It's a great responsibility to open for Pakistan but I am confident I am made for it," said Umer, who hit a century on debut against Bangladesh in Multan in September last year.

"I know I have to perform consistently to keep my place and I am ready for the challenge.

"Partnering Anwar is a great honour but I have learnt not to take the pressure that the man at the other end is so reputed, I would always play without any pressure.

"The Australians have two left handed openers and they plundered South Africa. Give us time we would do the same.

"I want to make a permanent place for myself and then aims to emulate Brian Lara."

Ever since Aamir Sohail faded out Pakistan tried many openers but failed to find a permanent solution.

"The reason why the Pakistan team is struggling to find Anwar's partner is that no-one is given sufficient chance to cement his place," said Pakistan's most successful opener and former captain Hanif Mohammad.

I see a future player in Umer. The only thing he needs to do is to perform consistently and work hard to keep his place Saeed Anwar

"He may be Umer or Imran Nazir or Shahid Afridi - all need fair chance."

Pakistan has tried eight openers to partner Anwar in the last three years with Nazir and Afridi getting most chances, but many believe Umer has the guts to provide the solution.

"To me Umer has the soundest technique of all the available openers," said coach Mudassar Nazar.

"He must apply himself and provide us with a solution we seek for the last one year or so."

Precocious talent

Anwar, too, speaks high of Umer and said he has a future.

"I see a future player in Umer. The only thing he needs to do is to perform consistently and work hard to keep his place," said Anwar.

As a precocious talent, Kabir played three Tests in England in 1996 before being dumped.

Umer represented Pakistan in the Lombard's Under-15 World Cup in England in 1996 and helped Pakistan finish runners-up to India.

He also played Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2000 before getting a side game against England at Peshawar.

"I spotted him in the Under-19 camp once and found he could open the innings for Pakistan one-day. I feel he could stay for a long time," said former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram.