The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended Cricket Canada over serious allegations of corruption, governance failures and suspected links with organized crime, delivering a major setback to the sport in the country. The decision was taken during an ICC meeting held in Ahmedabad, India, following mounting concerns regarding the functioning of Canada’s national cricket body.
According to reports, the suspension comes after the ICC raised concerns about the lack of proper governance systems within Cricket Canada and the organization’s alleged failure to submit audited financial statements. The governing body had already frozen Cricket Canada’s funding in May amid questions over transparency and accountability. The latest action by the ICC further intensifies scrutiny surrounding the administration of cricket in Canada.
The controversy has also drawn international attention due to allegations linking corruption within Canadian cricket to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, a criminal syndicate believed to operate from India. Investigative reports by CBC’s Fifth Estate claimed that there were instances of coercion, match-fixing and manipulation within Cricket Canada. The investigation alleged that certain players were promoted rapidly through the ranks under suspicious circumstances and that pressure was allegedly exerted on players and officials to cooperate. Some individuals reportedly faced threats if they refused to comply.
The issue of match-fixing has become increasingly concerning in modern cricket because of the rapid growth of sports betting markets. Reports indicated that bets could be placed on small moments within a match, including fielding mistakes or batting orders, making the sport more vulnerable to corruption. In one incident highlighted in the reports, the captain of the Canadian team was questioned by the ICC’s anti-corruption unit after a match against New Zealand earlier this year over suspicions related to fixing.
The allegations surrounding the Lawrence Bishnoi gang have added another layer of seriousness to the matter. The gang has previously been linked to several violent crimes in Canada, including the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar and Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala. Canadian authorities recently designated the gang as a terrorist entity, alleging that it is involved in activities such as murder, extortion, shootings and intimidation targeting diaspora communities.
Despite the suspension, the ICC clarified that Canadian cricket teams will still be allowed to participate in international competitions to ensure that players are not unfairly affected by administrative failures. However, Cricket Canada’s access to financial resources will now be subject to a controlled funding mechanism under ICC supervision. The ICC stated that Cricket Canada would be given a list of conditions for reinstatement and that the suspension would remain in place until those requirements are fully met.
Cricket Canada’s interim chief operating officer, Bhavjit Jauhar, described the suspension as “unexpected” but confirmed that the organization would not challenge the ICC’s decision. He said Cricket Canada would cooperate fully and initiate an independent investigation into governance practices and financial controls in an effort to restore confidence in the system.
The suspension has triggered concern among players and cricket supporters in Canada, where the sport has witnessed rapid growth in recent years, especially among immigrant communities. However, critics argue that repeated controversies and allegations have damaged the reputation of Cricket Canada and exposed deep-rooted administrative issues within the organization.
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