It was not that the 23-year-old fearless cricketer was adjudged man-of-the-match for the first time in his 21st appearance but more for the way he had enhanced his reputation as an all-rounder. The 'Narail Express' bowled with heart to claim five wickets in the rain-hit match and also smashed a career-best 79 to save his side from a follow-on.

"Mashrafe is a terrific cricketer. I think Bangladesh is lucky to have a cricketer like him. He really bowls well and his contribution with the bat lower down the order has been terrific for Bangladesh over the years. In the World Cup and in this match especially his performance was wonderful," was the praises from India captain Rahul Dravid.

"He is developing as a genuine all-rounder. There are not many of them in the world, especially a fast bowling all-rounder. This sort of cricketer is very valuable for the team. So I think his development is very very important for Bangladesh," added the man nicknamed "The Wall."

"A pace bowling all-rounder is something that we have been trying to develop and trying to work on. Any team would like to have a pace bowling all- rounder. You can see the effect of the lack of a pace bowling all-rounder in England. When Freddy (Andrew) Flintoff does not play for them, they are forced to go with four bowlers. Then it becomes really difficult for them. It is a critical component of any team and the team that has such a player, generally enjoys a big advantage," he explained.

On the other hand Bangladesh coach Dav Whatmore said that the gifted cricketer had only just started to realize his potential

"He is a very talented boy. He is just beginning to understand his potential and realize what he is capable of. When he will learn more he will get better and become a very good player," said the outgoing Tigers' coach.

India skipper Dravid said that they were never under pressure in the game but the record ninth-wicket partnership (77) between Mashrafe and Shahadat Hossain in the first innings dented their hope of winning the game.

"During that ninth-wicket partnership they were playing really well. That was probably the period of the game when they controlled the match more than we did. But I don't think we were under any sort of pressure," he observed.

"After the first day we were in very good position to control the Test. We batted well to reach 295/5. We did the hard work after winning a good toss. After that first innings total it has been a stop-start game. We have not had enough cricket to really force a result. Probably our only chance was to make them follow-on but that late partnership changed the game," he added.

"We were hoping that they would play positively and try to achieve that target. They might think about the win and might lose a few wickets early. In that case anything was possible. But after the fall of the first wicket they played comfortably. The wicket was still very flat. The ball did not swing as much as we hoped for in the second innings," he told about his last day plan.

"Anil (Kumble) has been suffering from fever but he should be okay for the second

Test," he informed about his leg-spinner, who also failed to bowl in the Bangladesh second innings.

Dravid however dismissed the notion that Bangladesh would go to second match with psychological advantage. "If they (Bangladesh) think so, congratulations to them."