New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is investigating Cricket Canada for alleged match-fixing allegations during this year’s T20 World Cup, it has been reported. The incident pertains to the national team’s loss against New Zealand in a T20 WC game held on February 17 in Chennai, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.
After allegations of corruption were highlighted in a recently-aired documentary, the game at Chepauk, which Canada lost by the 8 wickets, has come under scrutiny from the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU). the report mentions that the ACU is probing multiple allegations linked to Cricket Canada and two active investigations that span elements of Canada and allegations of breaches of the ICC’s anti-corruption code at international and domestic level as well.
Documentary makes claims about corruption
Furthermore, the report mentions that the allegations came into light in a 43-minute documentary, Corruption, Crime and Cricket, produced by Canadian investigative programme ‘the fifth estate’ and aired by CBC on Friday. The film has made big claims about the ongoing corruption and governance issues in Canadian cricket.
As per the documentary, the fifth over of the chase bowled by Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa during the match against New Zealand is under scrutiny. Bajwa, who was appointed skipper just three weeks ahead of the marquee T20 Cup, came to bowl with New Zealand at 35/2. He started the over with a no-ball, followed it with a wide down the leg side, and went on to concede 15 runs.
‘Consistent with its established operating procedures, the ACU is not in a position to comment on the substance of any allegations contained within it (the documentary),’ Andrew Ephgrave, interim General Manager of the ICC’s Integrity Unit, said in a statement to ESPNcricinfo.
‘Governance matters in relation to ICC Members are considered by the ICC, where they fall under its jurisdiction, in accordance with the ICC’s standard constitutional processes.’
Canada had started with pace in the match through Jaskaran Singh and Dilon Heyliger, who conceded 15 and 14 runs respectively. Spin was introduced in the third over, when Saad bin Zafar bowled a wicket maiden, while Heyliger picked up a scalp in the fourth over.
As far as the other investigation is concerned, it relates to a leaked phone recording involving former Canada coach Khurram Chohan, in which he alleges that senior (now former) board members pressured him to select certain players.
‘The recording also contains claims of attempts to fix in matches, though those involve challenges in corroborating with actionable evidence,’ according to the report.