Belfast: Heinrich Malan steps down as Ireland men’s head coach after T20I series win

By Karan Malhotra — 29 June 2026 — 3 min read

Malan’s Tenure and Achievements

Heinrich Malan has announced his departure from the role of head coach for the Ireland Men’s cricket team, a position he held for over four years. His decision comes after the recently concluded successful T20 series against India. Malan, who was appointed head coach in 2022, communicated his decision to his staff and players.

Under Malan’s leadership, the Ireland Men’s team experienced a period of significant success. This included securing three consecutive T20 World Cup qualifications. The team also achieved its first three Test match victories during his tenure, contributing to the development of a broader pool of international-standard players.

Malan’s contract was originally set to extend into early 2027. However, he indicated that the current timing felt appropriate for him to step back. This decision aims to allow a new head coach to prepare the squad for upcoming crucial fixtures, specifically the ODI series against Afghanistan in August, which will serve as preparation for the 50-over World Cup Qualifiers scheduled for early 2027.

Key Victories and Milestones

During his time as head coach, Heinrich Malan oversaw several memorable victories for Ireland. These included an historic T20 World Cup win against England in Melbourne. The team also secured its first-ever Test victory against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi and a first home Test win against Zimbabwe in Belfast.

More recently, Ireland achieved an historic T20 series win at home against India. This series concluded with a narrow one-run victory in the second match in Belfast, securing a 2-0 series sweep, which marked their first-ever series triumph against India. The team also recorded wins against other prominent cricketing nations such as Pakistan, West Indies, and South Africa, demonstrating a consistent ability to challenge and defeat top teams.

Graeme West, Director of High Performance, acknowledged Malan’s significant contributions. West noted that Malan joined the team during a challenging period and played a pivotal role in advancing the Ireland Men’s set-up. His efforts were instrumental in achieving World Cup qualifications and historic Test wins, as well as deepening the talent pool within the playing group.

Looking Ahead

Discussions between Heinrich Malan and Graeme West over recent months focused on the upcoming World Cup Qualifier cycle and the best approach to support the squad’s preparation. During these conversations, Malan expressed his desire to step down at this juncture, a decision that aligned with the organisation’s focus on ensuring continuity as they head into the campaign.

Malan reflected on his time, stating it was a privilege to work with the players, staff, and the broader Irish cricket community. He expressed that his family and he had a positive experience living in the region and would look back on their involvement in Irish cricket with affection. He also thanked the players, coaches, and staff for believing in their shared vision.

West extended his gratitude to Malan for his dedication and leadership, highlighting his work in increasing the depth of playing talent within the Irish system. This effort is expected to benefit the squad considerably in the coming months and years. The search for a new head coach will now commence to prepare the team for the ODI series against Afghanistan in August.