Heinrich Malan steps down as Ireland head coach

Less than 24 hours after overseeing Ireland's historic 2-0 win in the T20Is against India, Heinrich Malan has stepped down from his role as head coach of the senior men's team with immediate effect.

Initial plans called for Malan's contract to end in early 2027. However, the 45-year-old South African has decided to leave, stating in a Cricket Ireland press release that he believed the time was right for a new coach to take over with the goal of qualifying for the ODI World Cup next year.

In January 2022, Malan was given the position of head coach of the senior men's team. His contract was for three years, but it was extended in 2024. Under his direction, Ireland made it to the 2022, 2024, and 2026 T20 World Cups, where they famously defeated England, who would go on to win the tournament.

Malan was also at the helm for each of Ireland's three Test wins to date.

"Working with these players, staff, and the wider Irish cricket community has been an absolute honor. My family and I have had a wonderful experience living here, and we will look back on our time involved in Irish cricket with great affection," Malan said in a statement.

"On the field, we can look back with great pride on our historic T20 World Cup victory against England in Melbourne, our first-ever Test victory against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, our first home Test victory against Zimbabwe in Belfast, our historic T20 series victory at home against India, and our direct qualification for T20 WC's by challenging and defeating Pakistan, West Indies, and South Africa."

In August, Ireland will play Afghanistan in a five-match One-Day International series. Ireland defeated India by one run in the second T20I on Sunday to win the series.