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.