Islamabad, March 13, 2025: Cricket Canada CEO Salman Khan and former Calgary and District Cricket League (C&DCL) treasurer Syed Wajahat Ali have been charged with theft and fraud exceeding $5,000.
Calgary police allege the two misappropriated approximately $200,000 from the league between 2014 and 2016.
Authorities stated that concerns over financial records were raised in 2017 when the newly appointed president of the Calgary league conducted an internal audit.
The findings led to a police investigation, which reportedly revealed that payments had been made to businesses linked to the accused, allegedly for clubhouse repairs and ground upgrades.
However, police claim the work was either incomplete or of poor quality, with costs significantly inflated. Both Khan and Ali, residents of Milton, Ontario, are set to appear in court on Thursday.
Khan, in a social media post via the Alberta Cricket Association, denied the allegations, claiming that the case had been pending for over seven years and that he was charged without being given the chance to present his side.
The charges add to Cricket Canada’s recent troubles. Last year, the organization faced scrutiny over team selection issues, prompting a ruling from the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada.
Additionally, former Canada coach Pubudu Dassanayake has filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit after his contract was not renewed.
Khan, who became Cricket Canada’s CEO in January, was expected to lead the sport’s growth in the country. However, the legal proceedings now cast uncertainty over his future in the role.
