The crisis engulfing Cricket Canada took a dramatic turn on Wednesday, May 20, after gunshots were fired at the Surrey residence of newly elected board president Arvinder Khosa, amid an ongoing controversy involving alleged corruption, match-fixing and suspected links to organised crime.
Khosa confirmed that his house in Surrey’s Newton neighbourhood in British Columbia was targeted in a shooting during the early hours of Wednesday morning. According to local police, the attack took place around 4:40 a.m. local time while the house was occupied.
No injuries were reported, but images circulating locally reportedly showed at least five bullet holes on the doors, windows and exterior walls of the property.
Surrey Police said investigators were still in the early stages of the probe, though initial findings suggested the incident could be linked to an extortion-related case. Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects so far.
WHAT IS THE CANADA CRICKET CONTROVERSY?
The shooting comes at a sensitive time for Cricket Canada, which has been rocked in recent weeks by explosive allegations involving match-fixing, governance failures, intimidation of players and possible influence from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
A detailed investigation by CBC News had earlier alleged that threats and coercion may have affected team decisions during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The report claimed players and officials were pressured to support certain individuals within the national setup, including the appointment of captain Dilpreet Bajwa.
According to the investigation, some players were allegedly warned against dropping specific individuals from the squad.
“So they straight up said this wording to him, that ‘You must take care of these guys. These guys should not get dropped from the team. If they do, you are in trouble,’” a source identified as Noah told CBC.
The report further alleged that threats referencing the Bishnoi gang were used to intimidate players and officials within the Canadian cricket system.
“We know where you live. You won’t be able to run away from the Bishnoi Group,” Noah claimed, while describing one of the threatening messages mentioned in the investigation.
At the centre of the controversy is an ICC Anti-Corruption Unit investigation into Canada’s T20 World Cup 2026 group-stage match against New Zealand in Chennai. Particular scrutiny has reportedly fallen on an over bowled by captain Dilpreet Bajwa, which included a no-ball and a wide and conceded 15 runs during Canada’s unsuccessful defence of 173.
ICC interim integrity chief Andrew Ephgrave had earlier confirmed that the governing body was investigating possible breaches of anti-corruption regulations, though he declined to discuss specifics of the case.
“We cannot comment on the substance of the allegations at this stage,” Ephgrave had said.
The scandal widened further after leaked audio recordings allegedly involving former Canada coach Khurram Chohan surfaced online. In the recordings, Chohan reportedly claimed that board members exerted pressure over team selection decisions and hinted at possible fixing attempts within the setup.
Former Canada head coach Pubudu Dassanayake has also made allegations regarding governance issues within Cricket Canada and is currently pursuing legal action against the board.
Khosa himself was mentioned in the CBC investigation in connection with allegations involving local players who were allegedly linked to the Bishnoi gang. Some players reportedly claimed gang affiliations and were accused of threatening a member of Canada’s national men’s team in 2025.
Khosa had previously denied those allegations.
The latest shooting incident is likely to intensify concerns around player safety and the broader integrity of cricket administration in Canada, with the sport’s governing structure now facing scrutiny from law enforcement agencies as well as international cricket authorities.
Cricket Canada has yet to issue a detailed public statement regarding the shooting.
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