Match-fixing in T20 World Cup 2026 game? Chennai-bound game under ICC corruption investigation

The ICC’s Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has started its investigation after allegations of corruption being made involving Cricket Canada from the recently finished Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 clash in India and Sri Lanka. The Suryakumar Yadav-led side went on to earn their second successive and third overall title of the event.

The reports understand that ACU has two active investigations that span elements of Cricket Canada and allegations of breaches of the anti-corruption for the ICC’s code at the international and domestic level. The allegations were made in a documentary ‘Corruption, Crime and Cricket, which was produced by The Fifth Estate, a Canadian documentary Programme.

T20 World Cup 2026 match of Canada under ICC corruption investigation

The documentary states the claim of corruption at the World Cup, which comes from Canada’s game against New Zealand at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. It’s the fifth over that’s under scrutiny during the Kiwis’ chase when the captain, Dilpreet Bajwa, came to bowl. The 22-year-old was appointed the leader of the side three weeks before the beginning of the competition. 

The Blackcaps were 35/2 when Bajwa came into bowl. Canada had opened with pace in Jaskaran Singh and Dilo Heyliger, but a poor start, conceding 15 and 14 runs respectively. They changed to spin as early as the third over when Saad bin Zadar came and produced a wicket maiden.

Heyliger took a wicket in the fourth over before their captain came into the attack and began with a no-ball, bowled a wide down the leg side, and ended up giving away 15 runs off the over.

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“The ACU is aware of the Programme broadcast by CBC. Consistent with its established operating procedures, the ACU is not in a position to comment on the substance of any allegations contained within it. Governance matters in relation to ICC Members are considered by the ICC, where they fall under its jurisdiction, in accordance with the ICC's standard constitutional processes.” The interim General Manager of ICC’s integrity unit, Andrew Ephgrave, expressed.

“The ICC's Anti-Corruption Unit operates across three core functions: intelligence, prevention and education, and investigation. These functions operate concurrently and are applied wherever there is a credible basis to believe the integrity of the sport may be at risk.” He addressed.

Canada failed to open account in T20 World Cup 2026

Canada featured in four group-stage clashes of the T20 WC against New Zealand, Afghanistan, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. But they failed to open their account in the entire campaign.

Cricket Canada faced administrative turmoil over the last year, notably in the appointment and removal of former CEO, Salman Khan, whose appointment had attracted the ICC's attention. Khan has denied all the claims.

Their players faced delayed payment of prize money due to them from the T20 WC 2024 in the West Indies and the United States of America. The documentary also claimed that the players were uncontracted from July 2025 and put on small retainers for four months, leading to this year’s T20 World Cup.