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Tamim Iqbal: Bangladesh will play as hard as possible and not get distracted by Malinga's retirement
Lasith Malinga will play his last ODI game for Sri Lanka on Friday , and will end as the third highest wicket-taker from the country
Stand-in Bangladesh skipper Tamim Iqbal stated that Lasith Malinga's farewell would not distract his team when the two sides clash against each other on Friday at Colombo.
Malinga, Sri Lankan fast bowler, will play his final ODI during the first game on Friday between the two sides, although he hopes to play the T20 World Cup next year.
"I think he is a great ambassador of this game," Tamim told reporters Thursday in Colombo, adding that Malinga's achievements were "extraordinary".
"Tomorrow is a special game for him. But one thing is for sure -- when we play against him we will not keep it in our head that it will be his last match and will try to play as hard as possible.
"We will try to win the game for Bangladesh."
The seamer had earlier stated that he was happy to make way for youngsters in the team, after calling time on his 15-year career.
"I am very happy to leave at this time. This is an opportunity for new players to prove themselves and prepare for the next World Cup," Malinga, 35, told reporters at the team's final training session.
"We may have had some setbacks, but we have the capability to win another World Cup," he added, pointing to Sri Lanka's success at the 1996 World Cup and 2014 T20 World Cup.
The pacer asked for the Sri Lankan cricket fans to be patient with the youngsters, and urged the officials to give them enough time to develop.
"The young players need to believe that they can deliver. They need to be dedicated and develop to a level that they can decide for themselves when they go to the middle," Malinga said.
He will end his career as the third highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in ODIs.
