born Canada captain, under ICC radar for 'match

Dilpreet Bajwa, Canada’s T20 World Cup 2026 captain, is under investigation by the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) over suspected corruption during a match against New Zealand.

Bajwa, a 24-year-old cricketer born in Batala in Punjab, is under investigation over alleged suspicious activity during the 2026 T20 World Cup.

What triggered the investigation

The ACU is examining events from a T20 World Cup 2026 match between Canada and New Zealand.

What is under scrutiny

Date: February 17, 2026

Match against New Zealand chasing 174, at 35/2

Unexpected move: Bajwa (primarily a batter) brought himself on to bowl

The over in question

First ball: No-ball

Another delivery: Wide down leg side

Total conceded: 15 runs

Individually, these things happen in cricket. What raises eyebrows is the combination

Unusual bowling decision

Errors early in the over (no-ball + wide)

Timing during a crucial phase of the match

Why this looks suspicious (from an ACU perspective)

The ACU doesn’t investigate bad performance, it looks for patterns consistent with manipulation.

Here’s what may have triggered concern

Deliberate extras (no-ball/wide) can be used in spot-fixing

Non-regular bowler stepping in suddenly

Match situation where small actions can influence betting markets

A documentary by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation titled 'Corruption, Crime and Cricket' (April 17, 2026) added fuel to the situation, alleging:

Possible external influence on team selection

Questions about Bajwa’s rapid appointment as captain

These claims are not proven, but they widen the scope of scrutiny beyond just one over.

Performance context (why it matters—but isn’t proof)

Tournament stats: 60 runs, 1 wicket

Canada lost that match easily

Poor form alone is normal in sport. But when it is paired with:

Odd tactical decisions

Specific questionable deliveries

What the ACU will actually check

The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit typically looks at:

Betting market patterns

Phone and communication records

Match footage analysis

Links to known corrupt networks

Where things stand right now

No charges filed

No guilt established

Investigation is ongoing

At this stage, Bajwa is under scrutiny, not convicted.

Who is Bajwa

Originally from Batala in Gurdaspur, Bajwa moved to Canada after failing to break into the Punjab domestic circuit.

He gained recognition in the Global T20 Canada league, becoming the first Canadian to score a century in the tournament while playing for the Montreal Tigers.

In January 2026, he was named captain of Canada’s national team, making history as the first turban-wearing Sikh cricketer to lead the side.

Prior to the controversy, Bajwa had spoken about the challenges faced by associate cricketing nations, emphasising the need for greater opportunities and exposure rather than sympathy.

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