Malinga happy to make way for younger Lankans

Colombo : Veteran Sri Lankan star Lasith Malinga said on Thursday he was "very happy" to make way for younger players as he calls time on his illustrious 15-year career in the 50-over format.

Malinga will play his final one-day international in Colombo on Friday in the first of three ODIs against Bangladesh, but hopes to continue playing in the shorter T20 format.

"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.

Malinga -- known for his trademark blond-highlighted mop and piercings -- called on cricket administrators to be patient with up-and-coming stars and let them develop ahead of the next ODI World Cup.