[CRK]
ICC Probes Canada T20 World Cup Match Amid Corruption Allegations
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has launched a formal investigation into corruption allegations surrounding Cricket Canada, with a specific focus on a match from the recent men’s T20 World Cup held in India and Sri Lanka. The probe, conducted by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), comes in the wake of a damning investigative documentary that has exposed serious claims of match manipulation, player selection interference, and administrative misconduct.
Focus on Canada vs New Zealand T20 Clash
The most high-profile line of inquiry centers on Canada’s group-stage match against New Zealand. According to the CBC’s fifth estate documentary titled Corruption, Crime and Cricket, scrutiny has fallen on the fifth over of New Zealand’s innings, when then-22-year-old captain Dilpreet Bajwa was brought into the attack.
Bajwa, primarily a batting allrounder who occasionally bowls offspin, was named captain just three weeks before the tournament. With New Zealand at 35 for 2, Canada had already struggled with their opening pace attack, conceding 15 and 14 runs in the first two overs. After spinner Saad bin Zafar delivered a wicket-maiden in the third over and Dilon Heyliger took a wicket in the fourth, Bajwa was introduced.
His over began with a no-ball, followed by a wide down the leg side, and ended with a costly 15 runs conceded — an unusually erratic performance for a part-time bowler in a high-pressure moment. The sequence has raised red flags, prompting the ACU to assess whether there was any breach of the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Code.
Player Selection Pressure and Coaching Fallout
Beyond this single over, the investigation extends to broader governance failures within Cricket Canada. A leaked audio recording involving former coach Khurram Chohan reveals claims that senior (now former) board members pressured him to select specific players for the national team. The recording also contains allusions to attempted match-fixing, though officials note the difficulty in substantiating these with actionable evidence.
Another former coach, Pubudu Dassanayake, echoes similar concerns. In the documentary, he alleges that board officials tried to “force” him to include certain players in the 2024 T20 World Cup squad. When he resisted, he claims he was told his contract would not be renewed. Dassanayake is now pursuing legal action against Cricket Canada for wrongful dismissal.
Administrative Chaos and Financial Mismanagement
Cricket Canada has been in turmoil for over a year. Former CEO Salman Khan was removed after the ICC raised concerns over his failure to disclose prior criminal charges. Khan, who denies all allegations, faces separate charges of theft and fraud from Calgary Police.
The organization’s instability continued with the recent election of Arvinder Khosa as board president, replacing Amjad Bajwa. Amid this leadership churn, players have reportedly suffered. National team members were left without formal contracts from July 2025 and were instead placed on minimal retainers in the months leading up to the World Cup. Additionally, prize money from the tournament remains unpaid, deepening discontent among the squad.
ICC Responds, But Limits Scope
Andrew Ephgrave, interim General Manager of the ICC’s Integrity Unit, confirmed that the ACU is aware of the CBC documentary and that investigations are ongoing. However, he emphasized that the unit does not comment on active probes.
“The ACU is not in a position to comment on the substance of any allegations… Governance matters are considered by the ICC in accordance with constitutional processes.”
Ephgrave also clarified that while the ACU handles corruption in cricket, allegations involving organized crime and physical threats — also raised in the documentary by a former player — fall outside its jurisdiction and are matters for domestic law enforcement.
What’s Next for Canadian Cricket?
The revelations threaten to tarnish Canada’s hard-earned return to international cricket’s biggest stage. With two ACU investigations underway, leadership changes, and legal battles on the horizon, the path to rebuilding trust will be long and difficult.
For the ICC, this case underscores the growing need for tighter oversight of associate members — especially as the global game expands. For Canada, it’s not just about preserving the integrity of one match, but about saving the future of the sport in the country.
