The International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended the membership of Cricket Canada following allegations of corruption, misconduct, and serious governance shortcomings.
The decision comes after months of scrutiny, with the ICC citing "serious breaches of membership rules" and concerns over the board's administrative and financial practices.
In a statement, the ICC said Cricket Canada had failed to meet several governance requirements expected of member boards.
Last month, the ICC froze the board's funding and gave it six months to address the identified shortcomings.
According to an ICC letter, Cricket Canada lacks an effective governance framework and has failed to submit required financial statements.
Despite suspending the board's membership, the ICC has allowed Canada's national cricket team to continue participating in official international competitions.
The move reflects an effort to protect players and the development of the sport while holding administrators accountable for governance failures.
ICC concerned over rise of franchise cricket
The suspension was one of several key decisions taken during a recent ICC board meeting, where officials also discussed the growing influence of franchise cricket around the world.
Board members expressed concern over the rapid expansion of domestic T20 and T10 leagues and their impact on the international cricket calendar.
To address the issue, the ICC has approved the formation of a special committee tasked with reviewing the global cricket schedule.
The committee will examine the calendars of major franchise leagues and international fixtures before recommending measures aimed at maintaining a balance between the two formats.
The objective is to preserve the relevance and prestige of international cricket while accommodating the commercial growth of franchise competitions.
The debate comes as leagues such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), Pakistan Super League (PSL), Big Bash League, and Caribbean Premier League continue to attract top players.
Newer tournaments, including Major League Cricket and International League T20, have further crowded the global cricket calendar.
As franchise salaries continue to rise, many leading cricketers are increasingly prioritizing league cricket over bilateral international series, creating concerns for cricket administrators worldwide.
Bangladesh Cricket Board also under review
The ICC board also approved sending a two-member delegation to Bangladesh to review the election process of the Bangladesh Cricket Board.
The review follows concerns linked to recent political developments and potential government involvement in cricket administration.
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