Amjad Bajwa, the newly elected first Pakistani-Canadian President of Cricket Canada, has outlined his vision to grow the sport nationally and build stronger international relationships.
His selection at the annual general meeting on April 14 marks a pivotal moment for Cricket Canada, especially with the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup looming. Mr. Bajwa is a Faisalabad-born Canadian who brings extensive cricket management experience from his tenure as Vice-President and Director of Cricket Canada.
In an exclusive interview, Bajwa spoke about several initiatives aimed at boosting the development of cricket across the country. “We are focused on fostering bilateral relationships with cricket powerhouses such as Pakistan, India and Sri Lanka. These relationships will provide valuable experience and exposure for our players,” he said. explained.
Under Bajwa's leadership, Cricket Canada is in a difficult group alongside Pakistan, India, Ireland and hosts USA, looking forward to participating in the T20 World Cup. Canada's tournament begins June 1 with a match against the United States at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas. Canada's schedule includes some notable matches, most notably against Pakistan on June 11 at Nassau County International Stadium in New York.
Mr. Bajwa also highlighted the historical importance of this World Cup for Canadian cricket, commemorating Pakistan-born Saad Bin Zafar's debut in the ICC T20WC as captain of the Canadian men's cricket team.
Participation in the T20 World Cup is expected to have significant economic benefits. Mr. Bajwa highlighted that recent sponsorship deals, including notable partnerships with major banks, have strengthened Cricket Canada's financial stability. “These sponsorships are very important and provide the players with a contract, allowing them to focus completely on their game without worrying about finances,” he said.
Addressing infrastructure needs, Mr. Bajwa pointed to continued dialogue with local and state governments to enhance cricket facilities and increase available grounds. “The support from government agencies has been encouraging, especially after qualifying for the T20 World Cup,” he said.
Cricket Canada, an associate member of the International Cricket Council since 1968, aims to surpass its historic participation in the ICC ODI World Cup by increasing its competitiveness on the T20 stage. Bajwa remains optimistic about the future, saying, “Qualifying for the T20 World Cup has sparked unprecedented excitement and support, increasing grassroots interest in cricket across Canada.”