When Tamim Iqbal spoke of Bangladesh's stunning 79-run win against India, the left-hander emphatically reminded of coach Chandika Hathurusingha's mantra: freedom of expression in the middle. Captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza went into raptures over his side's fearless approach, which gave Bangladesh a new look in the 50-over format and a new look in international cricket. And this approach was evident during the the first ODI against India yesterday.

Bangladesh put on another brave face while the world cricket fraternity watched, as they picked four pacers to comply with Mashrafe's pre-match threat that his pace attack has the ability to 'destroy any team in the world'. And his words proved almost prophetic; especially as the inclusion of uncapped left-arm pacer Mustafizur Rahman clicked brilliantly. And that was the reason Mashrafe was telling reporters to redirect their felicitations to the 19-year-old pacer who destroyed India with his off-cutters, taking five wickets in his first ODI of three.

"I always preferred three pacers since I became captain. I firmly believe that bowlers win matches. The kind of bowling that Mustafizur does… I was really confident about the decision. Fortune favours the brave and so I am really happy," said Mashrafe, adding that it was not an easy decision to leave out in-form left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny.

"In fact I feel that Mustafizur's off-cutters turn even more that the spinners," said Mashrafe.

"The kind of wicket here, in 10 overs 60-70 runs can be scored. We had 80. We had planned that we would attack till the last ball. And we were successful. Partnerships may form; it's part of the game. Maybe there were a few dropped catches, but after a wicket falls, the second one also comes along. So that's how it began," he reflected on their attacking mentality.

Before the match, Mashrafe said that it's always a good statement to the cricket fraternity when one can beat India and his side made that statement in style and he was pleased to see the team improve their ICC ranking to the seventh position, but he still believes that they have to take one match at a time.

"It's nice to take one step forward in the rankings but as I said before we want to take it match by match. Everyone was really thinking about this match, and it went exactly the way we wanted to.

"I am happy that we are playing fearless cricket," he added.

When his attention was drawn to the MCG controversy, Mashrafe said he didn't believe that revenge was the right term for this game.