Suresh Raina called it a ‘Masterstroke’ and MS Dhoni heaped praise on their “Execution”. Bangladesh’s strategy to go in with four fast bowlers on a slow Mirpur wicket in the first ODI against India made everyone take notice. After all, traditionally, it is spin they rely on heavily.
Mashrafe Mortaza, the captain of the team and one of the four pacers in the attack, said the decision stemmed from him being a pacer himself. “We had one thought that we should pick an attack that will help us win," Mashrafe said. "I have preferred picking three pace bowlers since I became captain last year.
“Bowlers will win you matches. Arafat Sunny has done tremendously well for us but we thought that Mustafizur's variation would be effective on this surface. Of course if we had failed to defend 307 runs, you would have asked a lot of questions but fortune favours the brave."
In their chase of 308, the Indian openers got off to a start that made everyone believe the visitors will cruise home. However, when Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma were firing on all cylinders, Mortaza, did not for a second think that it was over for the hosts.
"India started off very well but on this wicket you can give away 65-70 runs in the first ten overs. We made about 79 in the first ten overs too," Mashrafe said. "Our bowlers weren't puzzled when they got off to such a start. Everyone was prepared to fight till the last ball. Partnerships can happen but the boys gave a big effort today."
The reason behind playing debutant Mustafizur was to surprise India, and the plan worked. "Mustafizur, we thought, would be brand new to them," he said. "They must have thought I would open the bowling but we wanted to change things a bit. From the time I saw Mustafizur bowl in the nets and use his variations, I knew we needed him in the middle.
"Keeping him away from the XI would have done the team harm. Some of his cutters are unplayable as it turns more than spinners. You could see that their bats were turning in their hands, as they top-edged those catches. I was fully confident that he could do the job for us."
