The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has recently launched investigations into allegations of corruption involving Cricket Canada, including allegations related to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches in India and Sri Lanka.
According to reports, the ACU is pursuing two serious investigations involving possible violations of the ICC’s anti-corruption law, both international and domestic.
The allegations were first brought to public attention by a Canadian investigative documentary titled Corruption, Crime and Cricket, which raises serious concerns about governance and integrity within Cricket Canada.
One of the central claims related to Canada’s World Cup match against the New Zealand national cricket team. The documentary highlights Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa’s analysis of the fifth over of New Zealand’s chase.
Bajwa, who was appointed captain three weeks before the match, conceded 15 runs in that over, including a no-ball and a wicket.
Canada opened the innings with pacers Jaskaran Singh and Thilon Heiliger, but both proved costly early on. The side turned to spin in the third over when Saad Bin Zafar bowled a wicket maiden.
Heiliger struck in the next over before Bajwa was introduced, conceding 15 runs in his lone over.
A separate part of the investigation related to the leaked phone conversation involving former Canada head coach Khurram Sohan. In the recording, Sohan alleged that senior Cricket Canada officials pressured him to select certain players for the national team.
Audio released last year comes from an ACU investigation and mentions additional claims of attempted match-fixing, although these are difficult to prove.
The documentary also includes allegations by former head coach Puputhu Dasanayake that he faced undue pressure regarding squad selections ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
He alleges that he was threatened with contract termination by refusing to add certain players and is now taking legal action against Cricket Canada for wrongful termination.
Cricket Canada has experienced significant managerial instability over the past year, including controversy surrounding former chief executive Salman Khan, who came under ICC scrutiny over criminal allegations before his appointment was made public.
He has been charged by Calgary police with theft and fraud, charges he denies. Arvinder Khosa was recently elected as the new board chairman to replace Amjat Bajwa.
The documentary also highlights issues with delayed player payments, including prize money for the 2024 T20 World Cup, and says national players were among the short-term retainers leading up to this year’s tournament without formal contracts from July 2025.
Andrew Epgrave, interim general manager of the ICC’s integrity unit, addressed the allegations in a detailed statement, stressing that the ICC follows strict procedures when dealing with such matters.
“ACU is aware of the program being broadcast by CBC,” Andrew Epgrave said in a statement. “In accordance with its established operating procedures, ACU is not in a position to comment on the substance of any allegations contained therein.
“Governance matters relating to ICC members are considered by the ICC where they are subject to its jurisdiction in accordance with the ICC’s standard constitutional processes.
He further outlined the ICC’s anti-corruption framework and its continued commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the game.
“The ICC’s anti-corruption unit operates in three main functions: intelligence, prevention and education and investigation. These functions work simultaneously and are deployed where there is a credible basis to believe that the integrity of the game may be at risk.”
The documentary also raises concerns about alleged links to organized crime after a former player claimed he had been threatened.
However, Ephgrave clarified that such issues are beyond ACU’s remit and are instead matters for domestic law enforcement agencies.