Ireland coach Heinrich Malan quit hours after historic 2-0 T2OI series win over India

Less than 24 hours after leading Ireland to a 2-0 T20I series win over India, head coach Heinrich Malan has stepped down from his role with immediate effect.Ireland completed a 2-0 draw after beating India by one run in the second T20I on Sunday. It was Ireland’s first ever victory over India in any format. A few days earlier, they had won the opening match by 34 runs against the reigning World T20 champions. Batting first, Ireland were 154 for eight in 20 overs. India finished at 153 for nine despite Prince Yadav hitting a six on the last 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 here and will look back on our time in Irish cricket with great fondness,” Malan said in a statement.“On the field, we can look back with great pride on our historic T20 World Cup win against England in Melbourne, our first ever Test win against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi, first ever Test win at home against Zimbabwe in Belfast, historic T20 series win at home against India and defeating Pakistan, West Indies, South Africa as well as directly qualifying for our best teams in the T20 World Cup and beating our best teams in the World Cup T20.”Malan’s contract was due to run until early 2027, but the 45-year-old South African has decided to leave early. Cricket Ireland said Malan believes the time is right for a new coach to take charge and prepare the team to qualify for next year’s ODI World Cup.Malan was appointed Ireland Men’s head coach in January 2022 on a three-year contract that was extended in 2024. During his tenure, 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 in all three Test victories, including their first ever Test victory.Ireland will host Afghanistan in 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 during a distinguished 15-year international career before retiring in 2020.