The tenure of Salman Khan as Cricket Canada’s Chief Executive Officer has officially come to an end. The board announced his immediate termination following an internal investigation that uncovered multiple breaches of governance and compliance protocols.
“Cricket Canada has immediately terminated CEO Salman Khan following a Board-led investigation,” the organization said in a statement. The decision follows a months-long period of turbulence that included a public suspension, police charges, ICC scrutiny, and mounting internal pressure.
Cricket Canada President Amjad Bajwa stated that the decision was necessary to safeguard the integrity, credibility, and stability of the organization.
As cricexec first reported last Monday December 8, Cricket Canada had already been preparing for Khan’s dismissal, with sources close to the process describing his termination as imminent as early as this week. That decision has now been finalized, closing a chapter that has clouded Canadian cricket for nearly a year.
Criminal charges, denial, and a growing crisis
Appointed in January 2025, Khan’s hiring was initially hailed as a bold step forward by Cricket Canada’s leadership. But optimism quickly gave way to scandal. By March, police in Alberta charged Khan with theft and fraud over CAN$ 5,000, linked to allegations of financial misconduct involving approximately CAN$ 200,000 during his time with the Calgary & District Cricket League.
Khan strongly denied the allegations in a Facebook post, calling the arrest reports “completely false” and claiming investigators had “filed charges without even hearing my side.”
Yet concerns deepened throughout the year. The ICC began asking questions about Khan’s appointment and vetting process. Domestically, critics pointed to compliance irregularities, and players and stakeholders raised alarms during the organization’s Annual General Meeting, where ICC representatives were present.
Amid escalating scrutiny, Cricket Canada placed Khan on paid, non-disciplinary suspension on October 22. The board stated the move was “to preserve the integrity of the organization and ensure procedural fairness,” while an independent review examined both Khan’s conduct and the board’s hiring decisions.
Termination confirms compliance and trust breaches
After reviewing the independent committee’s report, the Board of Directors concluded that Khan had failed to disclose past criminal charges — a breach of trust the board deemed serious enough to warrant immediate dismissal. The investigation also found violations of organizational bylaws and conduct that posed reputational risk to both Sport Canada and the ICC.
Challenges ahead for a fractured governing body
While Khan’s removal brings clarity to a long-running controversy, Cricket Canada now faces the complex task of rebuilding its leadership and credibility. The board must appoint a new CEO under increased oversight from the ICC and while navigating reduced federal funding from Sport Canada due to non-compliance with governance standards.
The organization also remains entangled in a wrongful dismissal claim from former men’s head coach Pubudu Dassanayake, and broader allegations of mismanagement raised during the 2025 AGM.
With cricket’s return to the Olympics at LA28 on the horizon, the ICC is expected to closely monitor Cricket Canada’s next steps. The focus now shifts from accountability to recovery — and whether the board can reestablish trust with players, sponsors, and global stakeholders.
