Cricket in Canada has a proud history dating back to the 1800s, and was even named the country’s first official sport in 1867. The game has had its highs and lows, but in recent years it has picked up momentum with more players, fans, and competitive opportunities.
In 2025, the national team secured qualification for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka, following a dominant Americas Regional Final. This will be their second successive appearance, after also qualifying in 2024.
With key performers like Kaleem Sana, Ansh Patel, Shivam Sharma, and Dilpreet Bajwa, and domestic events such as the Canada Super60 drawing international stars, Canadian cricket is steadily growing with stronger community support and better facilities.
Canada International Cricket Team – An Overview
Canada is slowly but steadily transitioning into a stronger international cricket team. The growing fascination among the people and the global popularity of cricket are helping pave a clearer path for the sport’s development in the country.
The team has already represented Canada in top-level ICC tournaments and qualifiers. With experienced team management and expanding domestic opportunities, a talented pool of players is emerging, signaling exciting days ahead for Canadian cricket.
| Team | Canada |
| Association | Cricket Canada |
| Captain | Nicholas Kirton |
| Coach | Khurram Chohan |
| ICC Status | Associate member with ODI status (1968) |
| ICC Region | Americas |
| ICC Rankings | ODI – 16thT20I – 21st |
Now, let’s take a look at some important details about the Canada international cricket team.
Canada Cricket Team – Early Days
Cricket in Canada dates back to the 19th century, introduced by the British and quickly becoming the country’s most popular sport. So significant was its early influence that John A. Macdonald, Canada’s first Prime Minister, even declared it the national sport.
The first international cricket fixture was played in 1844 between Canada and the United States, making it the oldest in cricket history—predating the Olympics by over 50 years. This historic rivalry remains strong across formats.
Despite not having Test status, Canada has played in ODIs and first-class matches. The team also featured in the Cricket World Cups of 1979, 2003, and 2007.
Canada Cricket Team – Squad
Let’s take a look at the current international squad of the Canada Cricket Team for both the ODI and T20I formats.
| Player | Department | Formats |
|---|---|---|
| Nicholas Kirton (C) | Batter | ODI & T20I |
| Aaron Johnson | Batter | ODI & T20I |
| Pargat Singh | Batter | ODI & T20I |
| Navneet Dhaliwal | Batter | ODI & T20I |
| Dilpreet Bajwa | Batter | ODI & T20I |
| Ravinderpal Singh | Batter | ODI & T20I |
| Rayyan Pathan | Batter | T20I |
| Saad Bin Zafar | All-rounder | ODI & T20I |
| Harsh Thaker | All-rounder | ODI & T20I |
| Akhil Kumar | All-rounder | T20I |
| Shreyas Movva | Wicket Keeper | ODI & T20I |
| Ansh Patel | Bowler | ODI & T20I |
| Parveen Kumar | Bowler | T20I |
| Dillon Heyliger | Bowler | ODI & T20I |
| Kaleem Sana | Bowler | ODI & T20I |
| Rishiv Joshi | Bowler | ODI & T20I |
Administration And Staff Details
The Canada Cricket Team is guided by a dedicated coaching unit focused on player development and international performance. Khurram Chohan currently serves as the head coach, bringing experience and leadership to the squad.
Supporting him is assistant coach John Davison, a former Canadian international known for his impactful World Cup performances and cricketing insight.
Home Ground
The Canada Cricket Team usually operates from their home ground in Toronto, known as the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club Ground.
The stadium has a seating capacity of 4,875 and is one of the few ICC-sanctioned venues in the country. It hosted its first ODI in 1996, a historic match between India and Pakistan.
Latest ICC Tournaments Played By Canada
In 2024, Canada made its debut in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies. Placed in Group A with India, Pakistan, Ireland and the USA, Canada registered a memorable victory against Ireland but did not progress beyond the group stage.
Following the T20 World Cup, Canada continued in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 as part of their qualification path for the 2027 ODI World Cup. Their performances included wins and some weather-affected games, with notable results against Namibia and Scotland.
In 2025, Canada delivered another milestone by going unbeaten in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Regional Qualifier, held in King City, Ontario. This ensured their qualification for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, marking their second consecutive appearance at the global event.
Canada Cricket Team – ICC Rankings
As of the latest update, the Canada Cricket Team holds the 16th position in the ICC Men’s ODI rankings. This ranking reflects the team’s competitive spirit and consistent performances on the international circuit. Their focus remains on climbing higher through key victories in future tournaments.
In the T20I format, Canada is currently ranked 21st in the ICC standings. Although this ranking places them outside the top tier, the team is showing promise with their growing talent pool, aiming to improve their position with strong performances in upcoming T20I events.
Canada Cricket Team – Players To Watch Out For
Canadian cricket is experiencing steady growth, with talents across the country being recognized and gaining much-needed exposure to the world of cricket. These are some players who could play a key role in the future of the Canada Cricket Team, as they await a bright future ahead.
1. Harsh Thaker
Harsh Thaker is a promising all-rounder for the Canada Cricket Team, excelling as a right-handed batsman and right-arm off-spinner.
He debuted in ODIs in 2023 and T20Is in 2019, amassing over 600 runs and 20 wickets in ODIs and nearly 450 runs with 29 wickets in T20Is. Thaker’s dynamic performances make him a key player to watch.
2. Nicholas Kirton
Nicholas Kirton, the skipper of the Canada Cricket Team, is a dynamic left-handed batter and occasional off-spin bowler. Born in Barbados on May 6, 1998, he made his debut for Canada in 2023.
With over 600 runs and a strike rate exceeding 120 in ODIs, Kirton’s leadership and all-round skills make him a key player to watch.
3. Dilpreet Bajwa
Dilpreet Bajwa, born on January 26, 2003, is a promising all-rounder for the Canada Cricket Team. He bats right-handed and bowls right-arm off-spin.
Bajwa made his T20I debut in September 2023 and his ODI debut in February 2024. With a strong domestic record and international experience, he is a key player to watch in Canada’s lineup.
Future of Canada Cricket Setup
Cricket Canada is building for the future through stronger domestic structures and international exposure. The GT20 league, run with the National Cricket League (NCL), is set to expand opportunities for local players while attracting global stars.
On the world stage, Canada has already qualified for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka after going unbeaten in the Americas Regional Qualifier. They are also competing in ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2, which forms part of the 2027 ODI World Cup pathway, with recent matches against Namibia and Scotland reflecting both progress and challenges.
The Women’s National Team played the 2025 Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier in Argentina, finishing second behind the United States. While they missed the Global Qualifier, the campaign underlined their growing competitiveness.
With consistent ICC appearances, a stronger domestic setup, and grassroots investment, Canada is positioning itself to become a regular contender on the global cricket stage.
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Conclusion: Canada Cricket Team’s Growth Signals an Exciting Future!
The Canada cricket team has been moving in the right direction with steady progress over the past few years. By focusing on player development and gaining exposure through international tournaments, they are beginning to carve out a stronger presence on the global stage. Their back-to-back qualifications for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2024 and 2026 mark a significant milestone in this journey.
A promising new wave of talent, including Harsh Thaker, Nicholas Kirton, Dilpreet Bajwa, Kaleem Sana, and Shivam Sharma, is giving fans plenty of reason for optimism. Alongside this, tournaments like the Canada Super60 are adding visibility and opportunities for Canadian players to compete alongside international stars.
With grassroots programs expanding and infrastructure improving, Canada is steadily building a stronger cricket culture. If this momentum continues, the team could soon transition from occasional appearances to becoming a consistent competitor in international cricket.
