It will be wrong to think that the 23-year old 'Narail Express' is only getting ready for fireworks with the leather. Judging from performances in the recent past a repeat of his feat against the star-studded Indian team in the World Cup, the speedster looks set to contribute significantly with the bat as well during the course of the demanding series.

The right-arm pace spearhead, who sunk Rahul Dravid's men in the preliminary round of the World Cup with a four-wicket burst to design his side's five-wicket victory, finished his ten-over spell without success but bowled with venom on a pitch where it was not an easy task for the pace bowlers.

Then the big-hearted cricketer played a magnificent knock of 49 from 63 balls that featured four boundaries and a six in a surface that was also not too favourable for batting in the second session, with the ball keeping low.

His effort was however not good enough to save his side (Bangladesh Green XI) from an 11-run defeat against Habibul Bashar's Bangladesh Red XI.

"My main duty is to do the best with the ball but I am also ready to serve my team with the bat as much as possible. I am really enjoying the game in both bowling and batting," said a sweating Mashrafe.

Replying to a question of whether he would try to bowl in the series with similar pace (140kph or above) as he had against India in the World Cup, he said that his main concentration would be to bowl to a spot.

"It will be a big challenge for the pacers to bowl in this surface that's why my main aim will be to bowl in one spot. I will definitely be successful if I can bowl in one channel. I don't want to comment on speed right at the moment," he informed.

Bashar expressed his satisfaction over the preparation game as he said that their main objective was to familiarise themselves with the pitch and the immense heat as they were going to play the first one-day of the three-match series on May 10 on the same surface.

"Our main objective was to see the pitch. I don't want to make any comments on the behaviour of the pitch but what I can only say is that it is not too different from our expectations," said Bashar adding that his boys were enjoying everything ahead of the series.

It was however evident in the match that it would be difficult for the team who will bat second.

Chief selector Faruque Ahmed however looked satisfied with the pitch and he believes the conditions will suit his team to show their character against India during the three-match one-day series.

"We are not unhappy with the character of the pitch and I think the match they played here today will help them a lot in the two one-dayers," said the former Bangladesh skipper who hinted that there is little chance to see out-of-form Shahriar Nafees opening the innings with young sensation Tamim Iqbal.

Mohammad Rafique, Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan, the left-arm trio who had a tremendous World Cup, had a combined six-wicket haul in the match but what is encouraging for the team think-tank is that the trio will get huge assistance from the pitch to put more pressure on the visiting batting.