Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The Canadian national cricket team has come under intense scrutiny following investigative reports suggesting that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang may have influenced team selections and strategic decisions during the T20 World Cup. According to a documentary by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “The Fifth Estate,” allegations have surfaced regarding external pressure being exerted on the national squad to favor specific players, most notably the Punjab-origin all-rounder Dilpreet Singh Bajwa. The reports indicate that members of the organized crime syndicate allegedly issued threats to other players and their families to ensure certain administrative and on-field outcomes.
A primary focus of the investigation involves the sudden elevation of Dilpreet Bajwa to the captaincy shortly before the World Cup, a move that critics and investigators have flagged as unusual. Furthermore, strategic choices made during the match against New Zealand have raised concerns about potential spot-fixing. Specifically, the decision to give the ball to Bajwa—primarily known as a batsman—after a successful over by a specialist bowler has been highlighted as a suspicious tactical pivot. These allegations suggest that the gang’s reach has extended beyond traditional street crime into the professional sports betting and influence-peddling market in North America.
The International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Anti-Corruption Unit has reportedly initiated two separate investigations into Cricket Canada’s domestic and international operations following these revelations. While Dilpreet Bajwa and Cricket Canada have not provided detailed public rebuttals to the specific claims in the documentary, the national sports body is facing immense pressure to clear its name. The situation has caused significant alarm within the international cricketing community, as it highlights the vulnerability of Associate nations to organized crime syndicates operating across borders.
