Malaysia appoints Whatmore as Director of Cricket

Dav Whatmore signs up with Malaysia Cricket Association

In a landmark move to redefine its place on the international cricket map, the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) has appointed former World Cup-winning coach Dav Whatmore as its new Director of Cricket, unveiling a bold high-performance roadmap for 2025-2026.

Whatmore’s appointment, announced alongside sweeping structural reforms, signals a clear intent by MCA to shift from being a respected host of global tournaments to a serious competitor on the world stage.

The veteran coach, best known for guiding Sri Lanka to World Cup glory in 1996, brings a wealth of international experience across several full-member nations. His mandate in Malaysia is ambitious - build a comprehensive cricketing structure capable of elevating the country’s men’s and women’s teams into high-performing outfits with credible aspirations of qualifying for ICC tournaments.

“This appointment is not just about guidance - it’s about transformation,” said MCA President Mahinda Vallipuram. “We’ve proven our credentials as a host nation. Now it’s time to prove ourselves on the field.”

Whatmore will also play an integral role in shaping the women’s national team, with plans underway to introduce a similar high-performance structure, reaffirming MCA’s commitment to inclusive cricket development.

“We are no longer satisfied with participation,” said President Vallipuram. “We aim to qualify, to win, and to lead.”

The roadmap comes as Malaysia prepares for the 2027–2031 ICC global competition cycle in a bid to qualify for both ICC ODI and T20 events and establish a lasting presence on the global cricketing scene.