Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan steps down day after historic T20I series win over India

June 29, 2026

Belfast: In a major development following their historic 2-0 T20I series triumph over India, Ireland head coach Heinrich Malan announced on Monday that he will be stepping down from his role. Malan, whose current contract was slated to run until early 2027, informed his players and support staff that he is stepping away as part of a planned transition aligned with the next ICC ODI World Cup cycle.

Appointed to the role in March 2022 after Graham Ford left the job, Malan oversaw a golden period in Irish men’s cricket and leaves the set-up less than 24 hours after Ireland got its first-ever T20I series win over India in Belfast. His tenure was highlighted by three consecutive T20 World Cup qualifications, Ireland’s first three Test match victories, the development of a wider pool of international-standard talent, and the just-concluded, historic maiden T20I series win over heavyweights India.

“It has been an absolute privilege to work with these players, staff and the wider Irish cricket community. 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.”

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, the first home Test win vs Zimbabwe in Belfast, the historic T20 series win at home vs India and beating Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa as well as direct qualifications for T20 WC’s through our consistent ability to challenge and beat the world’s top teams.”

“Thank you to the players, coaches and staff for believing in our shared vision – it has been a very special journey,” Malan said in his farewell statement.