According to a media source, the ICC is looking into Cricket Canada for allegedly violating its anti-corruption policy, which includes the national team’s defeat to New Zealand in a T20 World Cup match played in Chennai on February 17.
The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) is investigating the Chepauk match, which Canada lost by eight wickets, in light of corruption claims made in a recently shown documentary.
After choosing to bat, Canada scored 173/4, but New Zealand was able to chase it down in just 15.1 overs. The Black Caps’ Super Eight berth was confirmed by Glenn Phillips (59 not out off 39 balls) and Rachin Ravindra (76 not out off 36).
The ACU is looking into “two active investigations that span elements of Cricket Canada and allegations of breaches of the ICC’s anti-corruption code at international and domestic level as well” in addition to many accusations connected to Cricket Canada, according to ESPNcricinfo.
Corruption, Crime and Cricket, a 43-minute documentary created by the Canadian investigative show The Fifth Estate and broadcast on CBC on Friday, revealed the accusations.
Wide-ranging allegations regarding corruption and governance problems in Canadian cricket are made in the movie.
Corruption, Crime and Cricket, a 43-minute documentary created by the Canadian investigative show The Fifth Estate and broadcast on CBC on Friday, revealed the accusations. Wide-ranging allegations regarding corruption and governance problems in Canadian cricket are made in the movie.
The T20 World Cup encounter versus New Zealand is being scrutinized, according to the documentary, especially Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa’s fifth over of the chase.
Bajwa, a batting all-rounder who bowls off-spin, was named captain barely three weeks prior to the event, was bowling with New Zealand at 35/2. He conceded 15 runs after starting the over with a no-ball and a wide down the leg side.
“Consistent with its established operating procedures, the ACU is not in a position to comment on the substance of any allegations contained within it (the documentary),” Andrew Ephgrave, interim General Manager of the ICC’s Integrity Unit, said in a statement to ESPNcricinfo.
“Governance matters in relation to ICC Members are considered by the ICC, where they fall under its jurisdiction, in accordance with the ICC’s standard constitutional processes.
“The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit operates across three core functions: intelligence, prevention and education, and investigation. These functions operate concurrently and are applied wherever there is a credible basis to believe the integrity of the sport may be at risk.”
Jaskaran Singh and Dilon Heyliger, who gave up 15 and 14 runs, respectively, gave Canada a quick start to the game. Heyliger took a wicket in the fourth over, and Saad bin Zafar bowled a wicket maiden in the third over, introducing spin.
In the second probe, former Canada coach Khurram Chohan claims that top (now-former) board members coerced him into choosing particular players in a phone recording that was released.
“The recording also contains claims of attempts to fix in matches, though those involve challenges in corroborating with actionable evidence,” according to the report.
Pubudu Dassanayake, a former coach, is also featured in the documentary, and he makes a similar claim about unfair pressure during the 2024 T20 World Cup team selection process.
The fifth estate said that the board attempted “to force” Dassanayake to choose specific players and threatened to cancel his contract if he didn’t. Dassanayake is currently suing Cricket Canada for wrongful termination.
Over the past year, Cricket Canada has experienced administrative upheaval, including the appointment and dismissal of former CEO Salman Khan, whose hire had received notice from the ICC due to his failure to disclose previous criminal offenses.
Since then, Calgary Police have accused him of theft and fraud, charges he has refuted. Amjad Bajwa was replaced as board president earlier this month by Arvinder Khosa.
