The ICC probes Cricket Canada breach after allegations surfaced around Canada’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against New Zealand in Chennai. The International Cricket Council is investigating a possible anti-corruption code violation linked to Cricket Canada, while separate concerns about governance and team selection have also come under fresh scrutiny.
The match under review took place on February 17, when Canada posted 173-4, after which New Zealand chased the target in 15.1 overs. Glenn Phillips and Rachin Ravindra guided New Zealand to victory and secured qualification for the Super 8s.
The reported focus of the investigation is the fifth over of New Zealand’s chase, bowled by Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa. At that stage, New Zealand were 35-2, but the over went for 15 runs and included a no-ball and a wide. That sequence has now drawn attention as part of the ICC’s reported anti-corruption review. However, it does not indicate that any charges or sanctions have been announced so far.
CBC’s The Fifth Estate brought the allegations into sharper focus in its 43-minute documentary, Corruption, Crime and Cricket. The film raised fresh questions about possible irregularities within Cricket Canada at both the international and domestic levels.
The documentary went beyond the World Cup match itself and included claims from former coaches who said officials pressured them to select certain players. In a leaked phone recording, former Canada coach Khurram Chohan alleged that senior board members, who have since left their positions, pushed for specific selections.
The film also revisited earlier claims by former coach Pubudu Dassanayake, who reportedly said he faced similar pressure ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. He alleged that board officials warned him they could terminate his contract if he refused to comply. At the same time, some allegations, particularly those involving suspected match-fixing attempts, remain difficult to prove with actionable evidence.
Cricket Canada has already endured a turbulent period away from the field, deepening concerns about governance, oversight, and institutional stability. The organisation faced scrutiny over the appointment and later removal of former CEO Salman Khan, whose hiring drew ICC attention because officials did not disclose prior criminal charges. More recently, the board replaced Amjad Bajwa as president with Arvinder Khosla, adding to the sense of continued instability within the organisation.
