After facing various issues related to corruption and financial mismanagement, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to suspend Cricket Canada’s membership. This decision follows a board meeting held in Ahmedabad, India, where the ICC highlighted significant breaches of membership obligations by Cricket Canada.
Earlier in May, the ICC froze Cricket Canada’s funding and provided a six-month period for the organization to rectify its internal operations. Concerns were raised regarding the lack of proper governance structures and the absence of audited financial statements within the organization.
According to Osman Samiuddin, senior editor of ESPNCricinfo, the ICC’s actions are not taken lightly, indicating longstanding apprehensions. Similar steps have been taken in the past against national cricket bodies, such as Cricket USA last year, where the ICC assumed management responsibilities in the fall of 2025.
Despite the suspension, Canada’s national teams are permitted to participate in ICC events, albeit under ICC oversight for funding. The national men’s team is set to compete in a World Cup qualifying tournament against the U.S. and the Netherlands in King City, Ont., with no anticipated disruptions.
Cricket Canada relies heavily on ICC funding, with the organization receiving over $3.6 million, representing 63% of its revenue in 2024. The suspension reflects the ICC’s lack of confidence in Cricket Canada’s financial management capabilities, according to Samiuddin.
In response to the suspension, Cricket Canada’s interim chief operating officer, Bhavjit Jauhar, expressed surprise but stressed the organization’s commitment to meeting compliance standards. Jauhar acknowledged the need for addressing systemic weaknesses from previous leadership and has appointed an independent committee to investigate governance and financial control issues.
While the timeline and specifics of reinstatement conditions remain undisclosed, Cricket Canada vows to continue delivering non-national team programs as scheduled. The suspension comes shortly after new leadership appointments within the organization and amid ongoing investigations into corruption and match-fixing allegations by major figures at Cricket Canada.