Last Updated on 5 minutes ago by Charbel Coorey

Canada Cricket is currently under investigation from the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) on allegations of corruption.

Specifically, there are investigations relating to issues both on and off the field. The first is in relation to governance issues within Canada Cricket, with links to organised crime and even fears for the safety involved in the Canadian Cricket team.

The second item in question is the fifth over of Canada’s 2026 T20 World Cup match against New Zealand, bowled by captain and offspinner Dilpreet Bajwa.

Canada Cricket investigated for alleged corruption: Allegations emerge in a Canadian documentary

Interference in team selections and claims of match fixing

The documentary, named “Corruption, Crime and Cricket” and produced by the fifth estate, alleges interference from board level, including threats made to include certain players in the national team for betting reasons.

The ACU has been investigating a recording from a telephone call where Canada head coach Khurram Chohan claims that senior board members pressured him to select certain players. The audio, leaked in 2025, also contains claims of match fixing attempts.

Also, former coach Pubudu Dassanayake, who took pride in helping build the system, is suing Canada Cricket for wrongful termination. In an interview within the documentary, Dassanayake alleges “undue influence being applied on him in squad selections” during Canada’s 2024 T20 World Cup campaign, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

A report in Toronto Sun in 2025 expressed the shock of Dassanayake’s departure as he was announced as head coach of the USA men’s national team. Canada were very competitive in the 2024 tournament under Dassanayake, beating Test nation Ireland by 12 runs in New York and even keeping Pakistan in check a few days later.

“Fans and players were stunned when Cricket Canada showed Pubudu Dassanayake the door a year ago after a successful stint,” the report read.

“But few expected him to be relegated to the sidelines for long as a number of nations showed an interest in his coaching abilities. USA Cricket will announce that the 55 year old has been hired to coach the best nation in this part of the world for three-and-a-half years.”

Fifth over of Canada’s World Cup match against New Zealand under the spotlight

The documentary also makes claims of corruption in Canada’s 2026 T20 World Cup match against New Zealand in Chennai. The over in question is the fifth of New Zealand’s batting innings, bowled by Dilpreet Bajwa, who was named as captain weeks before the tournament.

Canada, who made 173/4 on the back of Yuvraj Samra’s excellent hundred, reduced New Zealand to 35/2 after four overs. Bajwa brought himself on to bowl, starting with a no ball. The third legal delivery was way down the legside and the over eventually cost 15.

From there, New Zealand cruised to victory, reaching the 174-run target with 29 deliveries and eight wickets to spare.

You can watch the full episode of the documentary here or below.