Canadian Cricket in Crisis Over Match-Fixing and Gang Allegations
The world of Canadian cricket has been plunged into turmoil following explosive allegations that range from death threats and selection pressure to outright match-fixing. A comprehensive investigation by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has placed the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang at the center of this growing scandal, with national team captain Dilpreet Bajwa under intense scrutiny.
Captain Bajwa Under Investigation for World Cup Incident
Dilpreet Bajwa, who led the Canadian team during the recent ICC Men's T20 World Cup hosted in India and Sri Lanka, is now facing serious questions about his conduct. The investigation focuses specifically on a match-fixing case linked to him during a Canada versus New Zealand encounter in the tournament. The CBC report suggests Bajwa may have connections to jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's criminal network and could have been influenced to manipulate matches for the benefit of the Bishnoi organization.
The alleged fixing incident occurred during the fifth over of New Zealand's chase against Canada in the T20 World Cup. Bajwa, primarily a batting all-rounder who bowls off-spin, came on to bowl with New Zealand at 35 for 2. His over began with a no-ball, included a wide down the leg side, and ultimately conceded 15 runs—raising significant suspicions among observers and investigators.
Restaurant Threat Reveals Pattern of Intimidation
The CBC investigation uncovered a disturbing incident that occurred in July 2025 at a restaurant in Surrey, British Columbia. Approximately 25 cricketers, fresh from a provincial tournament victory, had gathered when two players approached a star national team member dining with another group. According to multiple sources, these individuals claimed to represent the Bishnoi gang—a violent criminal organization designated as a terrorist entity in Canada.
They delivered a chilling ultimatum to the national player: support the rise of young player Dilpreet Bajwa and another provincial and national team player, or face severe consequences for himself and his family. The threatened player subsequently confided in another individual identified as Noah by the CBC, who also reported receiving death threats related to the same matter.
These restaurant threats appear to be part of a broader pattern of intimidation within Canadian cricket circles, involving individuals claiming links to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The CBC report indicates such groups seem to be systematically attempting to place specific cricket administrators and players in positions of influence and power.
Administrative Influence and Selection Controversies
The intimidation cases are reportedly concentrated in British Columbia and are linked to individuals associated with Arvinder Khosa, the head of Cricket BC who was recently elected president of Cricket Canada. Multiple sources believe the threats connect to Khosa due to his association with the players involved in the restaurant incident.
Khosa acknowledged he was not fully aware of what transpired at the restaurant but later participated in a call with the involved players alongside then Cricket Canada president Amjad Bajwa (no relation to Dilpreet). When questioned by CBC, Amjad Bajwa denied any knowledge of the threats.
Those allegedly threatened stated the intimidation aimed to secure Dilpreet Bajwa's position as captain of the Canadian national team. The CBC report further claims that while Khosa only recently assumed the presidency of Cricket Canada, his influence appears significant in key decisions, including Bajwa's surprising rise to captaincy just three weeks before the T20 World Cup began in February.
Soon after the restaurant incident, Khosa reportedly overruled selectors and board decisions to appoint Bajwa as captain of a provincial team, despite another player having been chosen by the selection committee. A source close to Cricket Canada told CBC that Khosa was part of a group that put Bajwa's name forward for the national team and that Khosa informed Bajwa he owed his place on the team to him.
Phone Recording Reveals Spot-Fixing Allegations
The investigation also uncovered a phone recording from May of the previous year in which former Canada coach Khurram Chohan was allegedly asked to fix specific parts of matches by then Cricket Canada president Amjad Bajwa, CEO Salman Khan, and board member Rana Imran.
Chohan claimed he was given a predetermined team and batting order to follow before a 2025 game against Bermuda but chose not to comply with these instructions. He reported receiving an angry phone call from Salman Khan demanding, "What have you done?" Chohan was removed from his coaching position in July, approximately one month after the recording surfaced.
The Bishnoi gang, already infamous for alleged involvement in the killing of singer Sidhu Moose Wala, the murder of politician Baba Siddique, and threats to Bollywood actor Salman Khan, now stands accused of attempting to infiltrate and manipulate Canadian cricket for potential financial gain through match-fixing schemes.
As Noah, one of the threatened individuals, told CBC: "I personally feel they wanted to fix the games, make money out of it. That's why they knew they can use him. What other reasons can there be that they can go to an extent to make him captain for a Canadian team?"
The allegations have cast a dark shadow over Canadian cricket, raising serious questions about governance, integrity, and the potential influence of organized crime in the sport's administration and on-field performances.
