Cricket Canada is undergoing significant changes as newly elected president Arvinder Khosa has implemented a major overhaul of the team selection process. In a move aimed at reducing interference that has plagued the national team, Khosa has decreed that the national squad will now be selected by the coach, captain, and manager, rather than the selection panel.
This decision comes after Canada's national team experienced a sharp decline in performance, described as tumbling down like a boulder down a mountain. With a new coach and captain in place, there is renewed hope that the team can climb back to its former glory.
New Coach and Captain Appointed
In an exclusive report last week, it was revealed that Monty Desai has been appointed as the new coach of the national team. Desai, who previously coached Canada, is expected to arrive in Toronto next week to take charge of two crucial World Cricket League qualification matches scheduled for June at King City.
Additionally, star all-rounder Saad Bin Zafar has been reinstated as captain, a role he previously held in 2024. Many believe Bin Zafar is the logical choice, as he led the team effectively before interference from the selection panel disrupted progress.
Corruption Scandal and Bookmaker Killing
Cricket Canada has also been making headlines off the field. During the World Twenty20 Cup tournament held earlier this year in India and Sri Lanka, captain Dilpreet Bajwa was investigated by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for bringing the game into disrepute. Bajwa is under scrutiny for corruption related to a World Cup match against New Zealand, where he conceded 15 runs in the fifth over, including a no-ball—a rare infraction for a spinner.
To compound matters, a bookmaker known as Sam Canada was shot dead in Surrey, British Columbia, on Monday afternoon. The Times of India reported that a Facebook post in the name of Rohit Godara, a local fugitive gangster, claimed responsibility for the murder, alleging Sam was a main handler for rivals involved in match-fixing and illegal betting. Cricket Canada has called for an RCMP investigation.
Bajwa's Future Uncertain
Bajwa's international career now hangs in the balance as the ICC decides his fate. Khosa stated, "We have written to the ICC for clarification on his status and we will take it from there." Many players believe Bajwa should not be in the squad following the incident against New Zealand.
Past Controversies and Legal Battles
The national team's decline began at the 2024 World Twenty20 Cup finals in the U.S. and Caribbean. After a promising start, the selection panel forced then-coach Pubudu Dassanayake to play players not originally on the squad, leading to poor performance. Dassanayake was fired upon return and has since sued for wrongful dismissal, a case still pending.
Khosa's committee also faces a massive legal bill of $500,000 from Toronto-based lawyers who made numerous trips to Vancouver. Critics question why selectors were allowed to flout rules, with affiliations based on regional backgrounds rather than merit.
Hope for the Future
Despite these challenges, Khosa's reforms aim to restore stability. Desai expressed optimism, saying, "I am honoured to take on this responsibility and thank Cricket Canada for their trust. My previous experience in Canada has given me a clear understanding of the system's potential and the passion that exists for the game."
Khosa hopes that these changes will help Canada qualify for the 2027 50-over World Cup, with Desai's leadership and Bin Zafar's captaincy providing a fresh start.
