The International Cricket Council has escalated its scrutiny of Cricket Canada, with its Anti-Corruption Unit examining alleged breaches linked to the 2026 T20 World Cup, including a specific match against New Zealand that has come under renewed focus. According to multiple outlets, the probe extends across multiple strands, covering both international fixtures and broader governance-related concerns tied to the national setup.
At the centre of the investigation is Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa, whose performance in the New Zealand fixture has drawn attention. The match in Chennai is being reviewed after a sequence in which Bajwa delivered an over that included a no-ball and a wide while conceding 15 runs, raising questions about irregular patterns during a critical phase of the game. The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit is understood to have examined the incident as part of its wider inquiry into potential integrity breaches.
Allegations link threats to team decisions
The current investigation has been shaped by claims emerging from a documentary produced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which outlined alleged interference in team selection and leadership decisions. According to a CBC documentary, individuals linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang are accused of using intimidation tactics to influence outcomes within the Canadian setup.
“Last July (2025), around 25 cricketers, fresh off a win at a major provincial tournament, gathered at a restaurant in Surrey, British Columbia. Two players from the tournament approached a table where a star of Canada’s national men’s team was dining. They claimed to represent the Bishnoi gang and threatened the player, stating that if he did not support the promotion of Dilpreet Bajwa and another young player, he and his family would face dire consequences,” an unnamed source said in the CBC documentary.
The allegations extend to direct threats communicated to players, reinforcing claims of coercion tied to selection decisions and leadership appointments within the team structure.
“We know where you live You won’t be able to run away from the Bishnoi Group,” Noah, an anonymous source, said in the CBC documentary, describing a message allegedly sent to enforce compliance.
ICC maintains silence as probe continues
While the investigation continues, the governing body has refrained from providing detailed commentary on the matter, maintaining its standard position on ongoing cases.
“We cannot comment on the substance of the allegations at this stage,” Andrew Ephgrave, ICC Interim Integrity Chief, said in an official statement.
The ICC’s position underscores the sensitivity of the case, with the Anti-Corruption Unit typically limiting public disclosures while inquiries remain active.
Governance concerns deepen scrutiny
The allegations and subsequent investigation come against a backdrop of wider administrative instability within Cricket Canada. As previously reported by cricexec, the organisation has been navigating a prolonged period of governance challenges, including concerns around financial transparency, leadership decisions, and interference in cricketing operations.
The earlier investigation detailed how structural weaknesses within the boardroom environment allowed issues around team selection and administrative oversight to persist without meaningful intervention. Instances of pressure on coaching staff, disputes over leadership appointments, and broader questions around accountability have all contributed to a system described by insiders as increasingly compromised.
Investigation enters critical phase
With multiple strands under review, the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit is now assessing both on-field events and off-field developments linked to Cricket Canada’s recent operations. The convergence of match-specific scrutiny and wider allegations of coercion has elevated the case into one of the most serious integrity challenges currently facing an associate cricketing nation.
As the investigation progresses, its findings are expected to play a key role in determining the next steps for Cricket Canada and could have wider implications for governance standards and anti-corruption enforcement across the global game.
