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One more for Malinga as Sri Lanka deemed safe for tour

Lasith Malinga will play a final ODI in Colombo, as the visiting Bangladesh side arrives to a heightened security presence in the Sri Lankan capital

Veteran Sri Lankan pace bowler Lasith Malinga will play one more ODI before retiring from the game, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne says.

Malinga was named in the 22-man Sri Lanka squad for the series with matches scheduled for July 26, 28 and 31 at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

But speaking at the team's press conference in the Sri Lankan capital, Karunaratne confirmed the 36-year old fast bowler and former captain would only appear in the first game.

"He is going to play the first match," said Karunaratne. "After that he is retiring. That's what he said to me. I don't know what he said for the selectors but for me he said he is playing only one match."

Image Id: 3F18F5FB5BF446DAAAF1AA1F9DAC9150 Image Caption: A young Malinga prepares for a match in Colombo in 2004 // Getty

Malinga, 35, will leave as Sri Lanka's third highest wicket-taker in ODI cricket with 335 wickets in 219 innings so far.

Only Muttiah Muralitharan (523) and Chaminda Vaas (399) have taken more in ODIs for Sri Lanka.

He was Sri Lanka's highest wicket-taker at the World Cup, claiming 13 scalps in seven games in England and Wales.

Malinga retired from Test cricket in 2011 but continued to remain available in other formats.

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The series in Sri Lanka comes after the country was the target of a series of terrorist attacks in April.

Bangladesh will be the first nation to tour Sri Lanka since, but have confirmed they are comfortable with the high level of security in the capital city.

Speaking to reporters two days after arriving in Colombo, captain Tamim Iqbal said Monday said security was not a concern for them, with the hosts having arranged tight protection following the April 21 attacks that killed 258 people.

The Bangladesh team have been provided with a level of security usually reserved for visiting state dignitaries, with additional deployments at their hotel and armed guards for their motorcade.

Image Id: AEEA5A0797E24597B07F8CDBBD9E650F Image Caption: The Bangladesh team arrive to extra security protection at their hotel in Colombo // Getty

"The security has been fantastic ... the facilities they have given us are top notch," Tamim said. "We are feeling very comfortable. There is nothing except cricket (that) we are thinking of.

"The boys are enjoying the hotel and if they want to go out, it is completely safe for us."

Sri Lankan authorities on Monday extended a state of emergency until August 22 in order to give more powers to security authorities to arrest and detain suspects.

Tamim said Sri Lanka had played in Bangladesh despite violence in his country in the past and said his team's visit was an effort of reciprocating the solidarity shown by their hosts.

New Zealand will be the next team to tour Sri Lanka, with a series comprising of two Tests and three T20Is beginning in Galle on August 14.