Cricket Canada has finally stirred from its long winter slumber — and it is about time as the national squad faces two of the world’s finest associate nations in crucial ICC World Cricket League qualification matches in June.
Canada is in a fight for a spot in the World Cup (50 overs) in 2027 and an even bigger battle to continue being an ODI member. Canada must finish in the top four to qualify for the World Cup, but it faces an uphill task as it has dropped to sixth place behind the United States, Scotland, Oman, Netherlands and Namibia. Its fixtures in June to be played at King City are against table-toppers U.S. and Netherlands, both considered the cream of the associate nations. Canada also must make sure it does not end up as a bottom-feeder, as that would relegate it to the dreaded pre-tournament qualification group.
The task of keeping Canada’s hopes flying high has been placed on the broad shoulders of Monty Desai, who will take over as coach on a temporary basis. Desai is no stranger to Canada as he was here previously in 2019. He was appointed to lead the national squad on a temporary basis in the WCL qualifiers held in Namibia and, after a successful stint, the Mumbai-born coach inked a two-year deal with the West Indies as a batting coach for the Test squad led by Phil Simmons.
“I am very happy to have signed Desai for our upcoming matches,” said Cricket Canada President Khosa. “Getting a top-flight coach was my top priority and I am glad we were able to do that.”
What is Desai’s coaching experience?
Desai has a great deal of experience having been involved with Indian Premier League clubs Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Lions. He was also batting coach with Afghanistan and later head coach with Nepal where he enjoyed success. He helped Nepal qualify for the 2023 Asia Cup and also retain its ODI status before leaving in 2025. Desai takes over the coaching reins from Ingleton Liburd, who led Canada to the World Twenty20 Cup in India and Sri Lanka a couple of months ago, where it was beaten in all four of its group matches. A former international star for Canada, Liburd has returned to his job as Cricket Canada’s general manager, while it is no secret the association has its eyes on Pubudu Dassanayake — the former coach who parted on an acrimonious note after his duties as head coach at the World Twenty20 Cup in 2024 were usurped by the board.
Canada had just beaten Test nation Ireland in a group match when the board, in its infinite wisdom, decided to parachute players who weren’t even on the squad, currying favours to friends. Dassanayake was ordered to play them or be replaced. On his return home, Dassanayake resigned and sued Cricket Canada, with the case still before the court. The majority of the national players would like to see Dassanayake return, but that isn’t likely to happen in a hurry as he has inked a deal with the U.S. until July 2028.
“I have had several calls from the Canadian officials to return, but I have a contract to fulfil until the next Olympics,” Dassanayake said. “My aim right now is to make sure the U.S. finishes on top of the league standings. I am looking forward to winning our matches in Canada in June.”
Hopefully, Khosa — who was swept into power recently — will win the next elections scheduled in a couple of months as he has indicated that his main focus is on the welfare of the national team members. The previous administration treated the players like rag dolls while members in office were treated like kings.
Captaincy and Team Changes
Apart from installing a coach, Khosa confirmed that all-rounder Saad Bin Zafar will lead the squad. The all-rounder has been brilliant with bat and ball in national colours and captained the squad at the World Twenty20 Cup. He was unceremoniously dumped by the CC selectors, but retained his place on the squad. The previous administration that was totally incompetent, to say the least, also treated the next skipper Nicholas Kirton with scant respect. After announcing that Kirton would lead the Canucks at the World Cup, he was replaced within a few days when the squad arrived in Sri Lanka. A young Dilpreet Bajwa, an excellent batsman but inexperienced at the national level, was handed the skipper’s armband. It was a move that also stunned his teammates. Unfortunately, Bajwa did not live up to expectations and was fingered by the International Cricket Council for match-fixing in the contest versus New Zealand. His short international career is all but over and hopefully, with Khosa at the helm, he will make sure that his decision to elevate Bin Zafar will be a winner. Bin Zafar was also humiliated when he lost the leadership after the 2024 World Cup but, hopefully, he can expect solid backing as long as Khosa is at the tiller.
