Shocking!! ‘Felt unsafe’: Canada player requested security during 2026 T20 World Cup
Published - 22 Apr 2026, 10:27 AM | Updated - 22 Apr 2026, 10:55 AM
A member of Canada’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad received additional security during the tournament. According to the Toronto Sun, the undisclosed player approached authorities upon arriving in Sri Lanka, later returned home after staying back, and remains unwilling to be interviewed about the situation.
Canada, placed in Group D, were eliminated early from the World Cup. They lost to South Africa by 57 runs despite Navneet Dhaliwal scoring 64 runs, and also suffered defeats to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Afghanistan. However, 19-year-old Yuvraj Samra scored a brilliant 110 against New Zealand.
Canadian Cricketer 'Felt Unsafe' During 2026 T20 World Cup
A Canadian player from the 2026 T20 World Cup squad has returned home after staying back for some time and has refused to give interviews, according to the Toronto Sun. The situation has gained attention amid concerns about off-field issues involving the team.
The development follows a CBC documentary that raised allegations of spot-fixing during Canada’s match against New Zealand in Chennai. The ICC is reviewing the game, where captain Dilpreet Bajwa conceded 15 runs, including a no-ball and a delivery down the leg side that resulted in two wides.
The documentary, titled Corruption, Crime & Cricket, also claims that individuals linked to a criminal gang have entered Cricket Canada. It further alleges that a national player was threatened to influence team selection decisions.
ICC Anti-Corruption Probe Adds Twist to Canada Leadership Change
According to reports, Canada made a late leadership change before leaving for the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, with Dilpreet Bajwa replacing Nicholas Kirton as captain. The documentary suggested that Cricket Canada president Arvinder Khosa played a role in Bajwa’s appointment.
Khosa has denied these claims, stating that he was not part of Cricket Canada at the time and had no involvement in the decision. Meanwhile, Bajwa was reportedly questioned by the ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit after the match against New Zealand in Chennai, which led to him missing a team meeting.
“I cannot believe that the documentary involved me in Bajwa’s promotion. I was not even in Cricket Canada at the time and had no say in the matter," Khosa was quoted as saying by the Toronto Sun.
ICC Focus on Bajwa’s Controversial Over in Chennai
The International Cricket Council is focusing on the fifth over of New Zealand’s chase in Chennai. Canada captain Dilpreet Bajwa brought himself on to bowl and conceded 15 runs. The over began with a no-ball and later included a delivery down the leg side that resulted in two wides.
Cricket Canada had earlier made similar decisions during the 2024 T20 World Cup in the United States. The board replaced coach Pubudu Dassanayake’s authority by adding players to the squad. Dassanayake, now with the USA, was later removed and took legal action against Cricket Canada, with the case still pending.
At a press conference in Brampton, journalists asked if the current team would remain free from management interference. Officials reportedly denied knowledge of the 2024 incidents, which drew strong reactions from the audience.
Also read: MS Dhoni pushes hard in nets to face Rohit Sharma & MI in IPL 2026
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Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla...
