The International Cricket Council (ICC), the global governing body for cricket, has suspended funding to Cricket Canada, the national organization overseeing the sport in the country. This dramatic decision, announced just days ago, stems directly from ongoing governance failures and financial irregularities exposed in a hard-hitting investigation by CBC's The Fifth Estate. With Cricket Canada relying on ICC grants for the majority of its budget—around 63 percent or $3.6 million in 2024 alone—the freeze represents a severe financial hit at a time when the organization is already reeling from scandals involving alleged match-fixing, organized crime threats, and internal power struggles.
Cricket, though not as dominant in Canada as hockey or soccer, has seen steady growth, particularly among South Asian immigrant communities. From grassroots leagues in Toronto and Vancouver to international appearances like the T20 World Cup, the sport's potential is clear. However, these latest developments threaten to derail that progress, raising questions about leadership accountability, player safety, and the future of competitive cricket north of the border.
The Catalyst: CBC's Fifth Estate Exposé
In mid-April 2026, CBC's investigative program The Fifth Estate aired 'Corruption, Crime & Cricket Canada,' a documentary that peeled back layers of dysfunction within the national body. The report detailed a web of allegations including spot-fixing during international matches, death threats to players and officials, and infiltration by the Bishnoi gang—an organized crime syndicate with roots in India, known for extortion and violence in Canada's South Asian diaspora.
The probe highlighted specific incidents, such as a July 2025 confrontation at a Surrey, British Columbia, restaurant where two players allegedly intimidated a national team member on behalf of the gang, demanding support for young bowler Dilpreet Bajwa's promotion. Text messages and notes purportedly from the gang warned of dire consequences, including phrases like 'We know where you live… You won't be able to run away from the Bishnoi Group.' These threats reportedly created a climate of fear, leading one player to withdraw from national championships and a provincial administrator to seek police protection.
Further, the documentary featured a leaked recording of former national coach Khurram Chohan claiming that Cricket Canada executives, including then-president Amjad Bajwa and CEO Salman Khan, pressured him to manipulate team selections and match outcomes in a April 2025 game against Bermuda. Chohan recounted instructions to 'arrange the team and you'll make them play' certain ways, which he refused, resulting in his dismissal.
Match-Fixing Suspicions at the T20 World Cup
Central to the scandal was Canada's performance in the 2026 T20 Men's World Cup, particularly their match against New Zealand on February 17. Captain Dilpreet Bajwa, already a figure of controversy, bowled a costly over conceding 15 runs—including a no-ball and wide—that raised red flags for spot-fixing. No-balls are classic markers for betting manipulation, where specific events are rigged for gamblers.
The ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) interviewed Bajwa post-match, seizing his phone for analysis. A betting insider cited in the report mentioned scripts for fixing parts of Canada's opener against South Africa sold for $37,000 CAD. While no charges have been laid, the ACU confirmed an active probe into both international and domestic irregularities linked to Cricket Canada. For more on the T20 investigation, see the ESPN Cricinfo report.
Organized Crime's Grip: The Bishnoi Gang Connection
The Bishnoi gang, led by Lawrence Bishnoi from an Indian prison and designated a terrorist entity in Canada, has a notorious history of targeting Punjabi celebrities and extending operations abroad. Sources told The Fifth Estate that gang affiliates sought to install Bajwa as captain for potential fixing gains, overriding standard selection processes.
Violence escalated with two extortion-related shootings at the Calgary home of a former Cricket Canada board member in 2025-2026. Delta Police confirmed probes into cricket-linked threats, forwarding files to the RCMP. Arvinder Khosa, now Cricket Canada's president and former Cricket B.C. head, was accused of facilitating Bajwa's rise and issuing threats, though he vehemently denies involvement, labeling claims 'political propaganda.' Three men face charges in the Calgary shootings.
Governance Meltdown and Court Interventions
Cricket Canada's woes predate the documentary. A British Columbia Supreme Court judge criticized the organization for 'civil wars' fueled by 'egos and ambitions,' stripping control in early 2026. Provincial associations, frustrated by financial opacity, forced a special general meeting, ousting four directors including president Amjad Bajwa.
Sport Canada had already cut funding over governance lapses. On May 9, 2026, an annual general meeting in Mississauga elected a new board: Khosa as president, Ranjit Chaudhri vice-president, Paramjit Shahi secretary. Critics question the choice of Khosa given his alleged ties.
The ICC Funding Freeze: Details and Rationale
The hammer fell on May 12, 2026, when the ICC notified Cricket Canada of an immediate funding suspension. Reasons included breaches of ICC policies, inaccurate budgets (e.g., claiming active Sport Canada funds post-cutoff, underreporting legal fees from $25,000 to $460,000), and failure to recruit a new CEO after Khan's December firing.
Jimmy Sharma, Cricket Canada's media manager, stated the board 'inherited these issues' and is committed to fixes. Vice-president Chaudhri downplayed mismanagement as 'not properly accounted.' The ICC demands resolution within six months or permanent defunding. Full details in CBC's coverage.
Immediate Fallout: Players, Sponsors, and Operations
Players have long suffered; in 2025, salaries were frozen while executives drew pay. The Toronto Blue Jays severed promotional ties post-documentary. Growth initiatives like No Frills sponsorship and Super60 leagues risk stalling without funds.
Provincial bodies express concern over unpaid grants and national team viability. A tri-series against Scotland looms without player payments.
- Financial dependency: 63% revenue from ICC
- Legal battles: $460K fees hidden
- Player welfare: Delayed salaries, safety fears
- Sponsorship flight: Blue Jays exit
Stakeholder Perspectives: Defenses and Criticisms
Cricket Canada insists on ICC compliance and governance strengthening per Sport Canada standards. Their official statement emphasizes cooperation and growth focus. Accused parties like Bajwa and Khan deny wrongdoing.
Insiders like 'Noah' and 'Graham' paint a darker picture of fear-driven silence. Provinces pushed reforms but worry new leadership repeats errors.
Reform Roadmap and Challenges Ahead
The new board promises audits, CEO hiring, and anti-corruption training. Step-by-step:
- Conduct full financial audit
- Appoint independent CEO/GM
- Implement Safe Sport protocols
- Engage ICC for compliance roadmap
- Rebuild trust with provinces/players
Challenges include ongoing probes, gang threats, and rebuilding credibility. Six-month deadline looms.
Broader Implications for Canadian Cricket
Cricket's rise—participation up via immigrants—now jeopardized. Olympic hopes (2028 debut) and T20 leagues falter. Lessons for sports governance: transparency, swift action on threats, independent oversight essential. Positive note: Committed reformers could emerge stronger, fostering ethical growth.
For stakeholders, this crisis underscores prioritizing integrity over ambition, ensuring cricket thrives safely in Canada.
Photo by Alfred Kenneally on Unsplash