Following recent turmoil in the US cricket landscape, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has now launched a full-scale investigation into Cricket Canada for a range of serious offences, including alleged match-fixing and illegal betting.
While Bermuda continues to receive accolades from the ICC for its administration off the field, the two leading nations in the Americas region, the USA and now Canada, find themselves facing major scrutiny from the global governing body. Crucially, like the USA during its suspension period, Canada is still currently allowed to compete on the international stage.
The issues began when Cricket Canada, under the leadership of President Amjad Bajwa, hired Salman Khan as CEO just weeks after he had been charged with theft and fraud by Calgary Police. Khan, along with treasurer Syed Wajahat Ali, was charged in connection with funds that went missing from the Calgary & District Cricket League between 2014 and 2016.
The ICC immediately requested "a full account of the recruitment process." Bajwa has vigorously defended Khan, stating he would only be dismissed when Calgary Police "comes up with facts." Khan's case is due to be heard in court in February.
More seriously, Cricket Canada is also being probed for allegations of match-fixing and illegal betting involving three members of the board.
The ICC dispatched a major anti-corruption unit to Toronto in August to investigate the claims that the members placed bets on their own team with bookmakers in India. This investigation was spurred by an audio recording, reportedly privy to Postmedia, which revealed the allegations of manipulation and illegal betting.
According to reports, off-shore gambling operators conveyed their demands to the three board members. These members, in turn, instructed then-interim coach Khurum Rashid Chohan on the composition of the lineup. Chohan reportedly resisted the manipulation and was promptly fired from his role.
The investigation casts a heavy shadow over cricket in the Americas region as the ICC seeks to determine the extent of corruption within the national governing body.
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