Less than 24 hours after guiding Ireland to a 2-0 T20I series win over India, head coach Heinrich Malan stepped down from his role with immediate effect.Ireland completed a 2-0 sweep after beating India by one run in the second T20I on Sunday. It was Ireland’s first-ever series win over India in any format. They had won the opening match by 34 runs a few days earlier against the reigning T20 world champions. Batting first, Ireland scored 154 for eight in 20 overs. India finished on 153 for nine despite Prince Yadav hitting a six off the final ball of the innings.“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,” 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, 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.”Malan’s contract was due to run until early 2027, but the 45-year-old South African decided to leave early. Cricket Ireland said Malan believed it was the right time for a new coach to take charge and prepare the team for qualification for next year’s ODI World Cup.Malan was appointed Ireland’s men’s head coach in January 2022 on a three-year deal, which was extended in 2024. During his time in charge, Ireland qualified for three straight T20 World Cups in 2022, 2024 and 2026. One of the team’s biggest results came in Melbourne in 2022, where Ireland defeated eventual champions England.He also led Ireland during all three of the country’s Test victories, including their first-ever Test win.Ireland will next host Afghanistan for a five-match ODI series in August.Meanwhile, Cricket Ireland later appointed Gary Wilson as head coach of the men’s cricket team. Wilson, 40, represented Ireland 292 times across a distinguished 15-year international career before retiring in 2020.
