Dark Clouds Over the Pitch: The Spot-Fixing Scandal Rocking Canadian Cricket

The Match in Question: Chennai, February 17

The match under intensive scrutiny took place at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on February 17, 2026. Canada, batting first, put up a competitive total of 173/4. In response, New Zealand found themselves in early trouble during the chase, stumbling to 35/2 by the fourth over after tight bowling from Canada’s Saad bin Zafar and Dilon Heyliger.

The alleged spot-fixing incident occurred in the fifth over:

• The Bowling Change: Dilpreet Bajwa, an off-spinning all-rounder who was controversially named captain just three weeks before the World Cup, brought himself on to bowl.

   

• The Deliveries: Bajwa commenced his spell with a prominent front-foot no-ball. He subsequently bowled a massive wide down the leg side that evaded the wicketkeeper, granting New Zealand additional runs.

   

• The Result: Bajwa conceded a total of 15 runs in that single over, entirely shifting the momentum. New Zealand eventually chased down the target comfortably in 15.1 overs, winning by eight wickets.

   

Following the match, Bajwa reportedly missed a mandatory team meeting. According to the CBC documentary, he was instead summoned by the ICC’s ACU, who confiscated his mobile phone for a thorough forensic search.

The Underworld Connection: Coercion and the Bishnoi Gang

The spot-fixing allegations are just the tip of the iceberg. The CBC investigation alleges a systematic infiltration of Canadian cricket by individuals claiming ties to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, an organized crime syndicate designated as a terrorist entity by the Canadian government.

According to whistleblower testimonies and anonymous sources within the Canadian cricket setup:

• Restaurant Intimidation: In July 2025, a prominent Canadian national player was allegedly cornered at a restaurant in Surrey, British Columbia, by individuals claiming to represent the Bishnoi gang.

• The Ultimatum: The player was told that if he did not support the rise of 22-year-old Dilpreet Bajwa and another targeted player, he and his family would face severe consequences.

• The Captaincy Coup: The intimidation campaign was reportedly designed to secure Bajwa’s position. Just weeks before the 2026 T20 World Cup, Bajwa replaced Nicholas Kirton as captain in an eleventh-hour decision that reportedly baffled the team’s coaching staff.

“They said, ‘You must take care of these guys. These guys should not get dropped from the team. If they do, you are in trouble.'” — Anonymous source quoted in the CBC documentary.

A Deep-Rooted Problem? Past Allegations Resurface

The match in Chennai is not the first time Cricket Canada has faced severe corruption red flags. The current scandal has brought prior, unresolved grievances back into the spotlight:

1. Khurram Chohan’s Secret Recording (2025): Former Canada head coach Khurram Chohan claims he was handed a pre-decided team and batting order by Cricket Canada board members ahead of a match against Bermuda. In a leaked audio recording, Chohan alleged he was explicitly told to “fix the match” by playing specific individuals. When Chohan ignored the instructions and Canada won the match, he was allegedly reprimanded by senior board officials. His contract was terminated shortly after.

    

2. Pubudu Dassanayake’s Tenure (2024): Another former head coach, Pubudu Dassanayake, has similarly claimed that board officials attempted to force his hand regarding player selections ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup, threatening him with termination when he refused to comply.

What Happens Next?

The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit has officially stepped in, stating that they operate wherever there is a “credible risk to the integrity of the sport,” though they have declined to comment on the specific details of the ongoing investigation.

Meanwhile, local police in British Columbia have confirmed they are investigating the alleged threats and have referred aspects of the sprawling case to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

As investigations continue, the Canadian cricket fraternity finds itself in a state of turmoil. What should have been a proud moment for an Associate Nation competing on cricket’s biggest stage has devolved into a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities of the sport to global betting syndicates and organized crime.