Cricket Canada embattled CEO’s termination is imminent: sources
Cricket Canada is preparing to terminate Chief Executive Officer Salman Khan as soon as this week, according to multiple senior sources with direct knowledge of the organisation’s internal process. Khan has been on non-disciplinary suspension with full pay and benefits since October 22, when Cricket Canada announced an independent governance review following escalating concerns about his appointment and the criminal charges he faces in Alberta.
If finalized, Khan’s dismissal would mark the end of one of the most turbulent leadership tenures in Canadian cricket — a 2025 CEO appointment that began with optimism, quickly unraveled into controversy, and is now expected to conclude under the weight of legal, governance, and reputational crises for the governing body.
A rise, a scandal, and a suspension
Khan was appointed CEO on January 8, 2025, with Cricket Canada praising his experience in events, marketing, and stakeholder relations. President Amjad Bajwa heralded the hire as a pivotal moment for the sport’s growth.
But only weeks later, in March, Khan was charged with theft over $5,000 and fraud over $5,000 related to alleged financial misconduct during his time with the Calgary & District Cricket League between 2014 and 2016. Police alleged roughly CAN $200,000 was misappropriated through inflated or incomplete construction work connected to individuals linked to both Khan and the league’s former treasurer.
Khan publicly denied wrongdoing, issuing a lengthy Facebook statement calling reports of his arrest “completely false” and arguing that investigators “filed charges without even hearing my side.” He vowed to contest the allegations.
Through the spring and summer, Cricket Canada faced mounting pressure from domestic stakeholders and from the International Cricket Council, which opened a probe into the circumstances of Khan’s hiring and the organization’s vetting processes. At the time, Khan did not step down.
The situation escalated further during Cricket Canada’s May AGM in Montreal, where ICC officials were present to observe proceedings firsthand. As reported by cricexec, the ICC sought clarity on how Khan’s background was screened, the rationale for his continued employment, and broader governance concerns within the organization.
On October 22, Cricket Canada finally suspended Khan “to preserve the integrity of the organization and ensure procedural fairness,” noting that the action was non-disciplinary and temporary pending review. Notably, this was done with full pay and benefits.
Inside sources: termination process is essentially complete
Now, according to multiple insiders, the review process has advanced to its final stage, with termination expected imminently.
One source told cricexec that Cricket Canada was just going through the process of finishing the last procedural steps, but that the decision had effectively been made.
Another noted that stakeholders are aligned on the recommendation, including previous supporters of Khan on the board.
Cricket Canada has yet to put out an official statement, which will presumably accompany the news of termination.
The timing aligns with what sources describe as Cricket Canada’s desire to conclude the matter before year-end, reducing uncertainty heading into the 2026 season and the upcoming ICC T20 Men’s World Cup, and enabling the organization to begin recruitment for a new CEO early in the new year.
A leadership vacuum — and an organization under strain
Even once Khan’s termination becomes official, Cricket Canada faces a difficult rebuilding period.
1. A CEO search amid credibility challenges
The organization will need to run a full executive recruitment process — one that must satisfy not only domestic stakeholders but also the ICC, which has been intensifying oversight following months of governance concerns.
2. Reputation recovery
Khan’s tenure — from high-profile appointment to criminal charges to suspension — has cast a long shadow over Cricket Canada’s public image. Rebuilding trust with players, who have recently endured a salary freeze, provincial associations, sponsors, and the global cricket community will be a process.
3. Government funding risks
Cricket Canada remains under scrutiny from Sport Canada, which has withheld segments of federal funding pending compliance with governance standards tied to Olympic-aligned requirements. Resolving these issues will be as important as resolving the CEO situation itself.
4. Other legal and governance disputes
The organization still faces a pending wrongful dismissal claim from former men’s national team head coach Pubudu Dassanayake, who was terminated in 2024, and in the meantime has become the Head Coach of the USA Men’s team. Cricket Canada also faces broader questions around oversight and board conduct raised during and around the 2025 Annual General Meeting, including match fixing and betting allegations.
The ICC is watching closely
With cricket set to play a role in the LA28 Olympics, the ICC has been particularly attuned to governance within member boards in the Americas region. The ICC is expected to monitor Cricket Canada’s next moves closely — from the termination announcement to CEO recruitment and broader structural reforms.
A pivotal moment for Canadian cricket
If and when confirmed, Salman Khan’s termination will close one chapter of a year defined by controversy — but it also begins another: the urgent task of rebuilding one of the sport’s most important governing bodies in the Americas.
Cricket Canada’s next decisions will determine whether this moment becomes a turning point toward stability and credibility, or whether deeper issues continue to hold the organization back.
Cricket Canada is preparing to terminate CEO Salman Khan, suspended amid criminal charges. Sources say the decision is final as ICC oversight increases.
www.cricexec.com
