ICC investigates Cricket Canada, CEO and NCL over potential misconduct

Cricket Canada has come under scrutiny as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has begun a formal inquiry into the board's recent decisions over misgovernance and potential misconduct. In a letter written on May 2, 2025, the ICC has demanded an explanation from Cricket Canada regarding the promotion of Salman Khan to Chief Executive Officer, just weeks before he was charged by Calgary Police with theft and fraud.

As per a Cricbuzz report, the charges made in March alleged that Khan, along with former Calgary & District Cricket League treasurer Syed Wajahat Ali, stole approximately CAD 200,000 between 2014 and 2016. The ICC has asked for a detailed account of Khan’s recruitment process, including whether directors were informed about the investigation before his appointment in January.

They also have requested evidence of any remedial or disciplinary action taken by the board since the charges became public. Despite Cricket Canada’s announcement in April that it was investigating the matter internally, the board has yet to release any updates. 

Khan has denied all allegations, calling reports of his arrest completely false. However, several provincial administrators have revealed the case had been circulating long before it became public. Furthermore, many have questioned Khan’s promotion from board director to CEO. Elected in June 2023, Khan resigned his honorary post midway to accept a salaried executive role.

Under Cricket Canada’s bylaws, directors charged with a crime must resign, which has led to speculations that the resignation as director was done preemptively. According to sources, the CEO appointment, including a five-year contract without a termination clause, was approved solely by Board Chair Amjad Bajwa and Director Imran Rana, bypassing standard board procedures.

Notably, the board's decision to replace its 25-year GT20 agreement with Bombay Sports with a new partnership involving National Cricket League (NCL) Canada has grabbed further eyeballs, with the latter being banned by the ICC in December 2024 for multiple rule violations.

Directors revealed that the NCL deal was finalised without full board review, and a proposal from the ICC-sanctioned ILT20 was never even discussed. The ICC has given Cricket Canada 14 days to respond. As of now, neither Khan, Bajwa, nor Rana has responded publicly to inquiries.