"After much thought and consideration, I have made the decision to step down as ODI and T20I captain," he said on Tuesday in a Cricket Ireland press release. "It has been one of my great honours to lead this team over the last few years and I am hugely grateful for all the support I received on and off the pitch from the many players, coaches, Cricket Ireland and supporters of the Ireland team."

Their next assignment is the T20 World Cup European Qualfiers which begin on July 20, followed by a three-match T20I series at home against India in August and that three-match ODI series away against England in September.

Balbirnie led Ireland 89 times (four Tests, 33 ODIs, 52 T20Is) across formats since taking over the reins in late 2019. He remains the captain of their Test side.

"But it was the Covid years when he really displayed his ability to galvanise his players and keep them focussed on the job at hand, and for that, we are thankful to him for his unstinting commitment."