Mumbai, April 17 (NationPress) The recent ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has found itself amid controversy following serious allegations of match-fixing related to Canada's encounter against New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

As reported by ESPNcricinfo, the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has initiated an inquiry into Cricket Canada due to claims presented in a recently released documentary.

The match between Canada and New Zealand, held on February 17, is currently under intense scrutiny. Canada opted to bat first and managed to score 173 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. However, New Zealand successfully chased the target in just 15.1 overs, winning by eight wickets to advance to the Super Eight stage. Glenn Phillips was not out at 59 from 39 balls, while Rachin Ravindra contributed an impressive 76 runs off just 36 balls.

The report indicates that the ACU is investigating multiple allegations against Cricket Canada, including two ongoing inquiries tied to both international and domestic cricket.

These allegations were featured in a 43-minute documentary titled Corruption, Crime and Cricket, created by the Canadian investigative program The Fifth Estate and broadcast by CBC. The film allegedly outlines claims of corruption, governance failures, and other discrepancies within Canadian cricket.

A focal point of the investigation is the fifth over of New Zealand’s innings, bowled by Canada’s captain Dilpreet Bajwa. Appointed just three weeks before the tournament, Bajwa allowed 15 runs in that over, which included a no-ball and a wide, when New Zealand had been struggling at 35 runs for 2 wickets.

Andrew Ephgrave, interim general manager of the ICC Integrity Unit, refrained from commenting on the specific allegations.

“In line with its established protocols, the ACU cannot comment on the details of any allegations,” the report cites Ephgrave as stating. “The unit focuses on intelligence, prevention, education, and investigation, acting whenever there is a credible threat to the sport’s integrity.”

Another line of inquiry reportedly includes a leaked phone conversation of former Canada coach Khurram Chohan, in which he allegedly stated that senior board members pressured him to select specific players. The recording also purportedly contains claims regarding attempts at match-fixing, although these allegations have yet to be substantiated.

Former head coach Pubudu Dassanayake has echoed similar claims, asserting that he experienced pressure over team selection ahead of the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. He is currently in a legal battle with Cricket Canada over wrongful termination, according to the report.

This controversy unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing administrative turmoil within Cricket Canada, which has witnessed multiple leadership changes within the past year. This includes the appointment and subsequent dismissal of former CEO Salman Khan, whose hiring had previously attracted ICC scrutiny due to alleged non-disclosure of prior criminal charges.