The International Cricket Council has suspended Cricket Canada’s membership with immediate effect, citing “serious breaches of its membership obligations,” while allowing Canadian national teams to continue competing in ICC events to protect players from the fallout of governance issues.
The ICC board made the decision at its meeting in Ahmedabad, India. Cricket Canada is an associate member of the global body and participated in the T20 World Cup held in India earlier this year.
In a response to the suspension, Cricket Canada said the decision was “unexpected,” but added that it respected the ICC’s ruling and remained committed to meeting all compliance requirements.
“The suspension was unexpected,” Cricket Canada said in a statement cited by Sportsnet. “Nevertheless, Cricket Canada respects the ICC’s decision and is fully committed to meeting all compliance requirements. The Board has directed the Committee to accelerate its investigative and reform mandate to ensure that governance, financial oversight, and reporting systems are strengthened without delay.”
Cricket Canada said it has already started a broad internal response to address concerns raised by the ICC.
“Since receiving ICC’s notice, Cricket Canada has undertaken immediate, comprehensive, and structured corrective measures to remedy the governance, financial oversight, and administrative deficiencies identified in the ICC’s correspondence,” the organization said.
The ICC did not publicly detail the specific breaches behind the suspension. Its decision comes after months of turmoil around Cricket Canada, including leadership changes, legal disputes, funding concerns and allegations raised in the CBC’s The Fifth Estate episode “Corruption, Crime and Cricket.”
The ICC previously confirmed its anti-corruption unit was aware of the April broadcast.
“The ACU is aware of the program broadcast by CBC,” Andrew Ephgrave, interim general manager of the ICC’s integrity unit, told The Associated Press at the time. “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 included corruption allegations involving Cricket Canada. Former Canada coach Pubudu Dassanayake also alleged undue influence in the team selection process during the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The ICC said Canadian national representative teams will “continue to be eligible to participate in ICC” events. The board said it was “mindful of the importance of protecting the interests of Canadian players and ensuring they are not disadvantaged by the governance issues affecting the national governing body.”
Funding to Cricket Canada will be withheld during the suspension period. The organization will still have access to money for approved national team programs through a controlled funding mechanism overseen by ICC management.
“To support the continued participation and development of the national teams, Cricket Canada will be permitted to access ICC funding through a controlled funding mechanism, under the oversight of ICC management, solely for approved national team program,” the ICC said.
According to Cricket Canada’s latest financial statement posted on its website, the organization reported total revenue of $3,176,869 for the year ending Dec. 31, 2023. Of that amount, $1,393,783 came from the ICC.
Cricket Canada has also faced serious internal and legal challenges. In March 2025, then-CEO Salman Khan and another man were charged with theft and fraud over $5,000 linked to their time with the Calgary and District Cricket League. Khan, in a social-media post via the Alberta Cricket Association, called the allegations “completely false.” Cricket Canada suspended Khan with full pay in October and fired him in December.
In another case, B.C.’s West Coast Cricket Organization and three other provincial cricket groups alleged Cricket Canada violated its own constitution and bylaws. In March, B.C. Supreme Court Justice David Crerar ordered Cricket Canada to hold a special general meeting with an independent arbitrator, as requested by the petitioners. He also ordered Cricket Canada to end its suspension of the Alberta Cricket Association.
The ICC is expected to provide Cricket Canada with reinstatement conditions. Progress will be monitored by the ICC Normalization Committee, supported by ICC management. Reinstatement will depend on whether the ICC board is satisfied that Cricket Canada has fully addressed its governance, financial oversight and administrative issues.
Canada’s men are currently ranked 20th in both one-day international and T20 cricket, while Canada’s women are ranked 32nd in T20 play.
