Canada finds itself on a sticky wicket after two losses in World Cup qualifiers

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Like a new ball losing its shine after a few overs, Canada’s national team finds itself in a similar position in the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two.

After that outstanding showing in the World T20 Cup last year, things have not gone as smoothly as one would expect as Cricket Canada has had to duck a barrage of bouncers.

Beyond the boundary lines, the parent body has been placed under investigation by the International Cricket Council for the way it conducts its business.

And on the field, the players find themselves under intense pressure to excel despite not being given the tools it requires because Cricket Canada keeps interfering in the coach’s job.

CC suffers from amnesia from time to time and deliberately overrides the coach, who since last year has been relegated to a figurehead. He has to bend down to instructions from the CC blazers.

At the global T20 finals last year, the blazers parachuted their own players into the squad against the wishes of then-coach Pubudu Dassanayake. The result was disastrous, ending with the world-class coach getting his marching orders.

“They had my hands tied down and essentially made life very hard for me,” Dassanayake recalled.

His contract clearly stated his pact would be extended to 2027 if the team qualified for the World Cup in 2027, which it did. But CC reneged on the deal and it was sued for wrongful dismissal. The case comes up in June, but in the meantime Dassanayake was signed to a 3.5-year contract by the United States.

It paints a sad picture, especially since Canada parades a top-class squad that can defeat the best of the second-tiered teams on any given day.

The problems off the field have creeped on to the field with Canada losing its first two World Cup League Two encounters in Lauderhill, Fla., in hot and steamy conditions.

In the opener of the three-country tourney, Canada was thrashed by a record 169 runs by the United States. Batting first, the host nation piled on 361 for just three wickets in 50 overs with Smit Patel playing a sensational knock of 152 off just 137 balls. His innings included 12 fours and four sixes and Patel received solid support from skipper Monank Patel (47) and Saiteja Mukkamalla (30).

In reply, Canada was shot out for a meagre 192 with debutant Mansab Gill notching up an unbeaten half century.

Canada was favoured to top Oman in the second match, but fell short by 15 runs in an exciting finish.

Oman elected to bat first and finished on 217 for six, while Canada managed 202 with six balls left. The star for Canada in a losing cause was Pargat Singh, who struck 85 before losing his wicket in the 38th over.

The humidity played havoc with Singh as he had difficulty running, otherwise Canada would likely have finished on top.

“Obviously it hurts,” Canada captain Navneet Dhaliwal said. “We haven’t batted well. For sure we have to score more runs, especially the top order. I think Pargat played really well but he needs support.”

The loss dropped Canada out of the top four and that means its chances of going through to the next round of World Cup qualifiers will be a little more difficult. But it can still do so by turning the tables on the U.S. and Oman in the next couple of weeks.

This league features eight teams — including Namibia, Nepal, the Netherlands, Scotland and the United Arab Emirates — with each side playing 36 one-day internationals spread across nine triangular series through December 2026. The top four teams move on to a 10-country World Cup qualifier that will send the top four teams to the 2027 World Cup. The Netherlands (12-6-0) tops the standings ahead of the U.S. and Scotland.

BANKING ON COLLEGES

TD Bank has inked a sponsorship deal for 2025 with the Canadian College and University Cricket (CCUC). This continued partnership collaboration signals a powerful commitment to building an inclusive, grassroots-driven cricket ecosystem for post-secondary students across Canada.

“We’re building a post-secondary cricket system that reflects Canada’s diversity, empowers student-athletes and creates real social impact through sport,” said Hassan Mirza, president of CCUC. “With over 30 institutions already engaged and growing, the momentum behind this movement is undeniable.”

KENYAN STAR DIES

Mehboob Ali, an imposing player on the field, passed away in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday. Ali was in his early 90s and, although he wasn’t keeping well in recent months, no mention was made how he died. The burly star opened the batting for Kenya and East Africa and was an excellent fielder in the slips. Ali will always be remembered for being the man behind the rise of Sir Ali Muslim Club that became the best club team in East Africa. He inspired several young players from the club who went on to represent Kenya.

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