Cricket Canada dumps skipper Saad Bin Zafar with hopes of ODI status in doubt

See more Toronto Sun on Google — save as a Preferred Source The roar of the Snowbirds over Lake Ontario that captivated hundreds of thousands in and around the Greater Toronto area for the past 55 years have had their wings clipped until the 2030s, when they will be replaced by a new fleet. This fly-past officially closed the CNE for another year and signalled the end of summer. Also this same weekend essentially ended the national cricket team's hopes of qualifying for the next One-Day International series (ODI). The ODIs are the lifeline of the game for every associate country and Canada finds itself fighting for survival. It needs a strong finish in its final series against host nation Oman and the United Arab Republic next month to remain in contention. But its hopes took an uppercut to the jaw from its very own board when it ended the illustrious international career of captain Saad Bin Zafar — with a phone call, no less. One of the country's most celebrated cricketers has been treated with utter disdain by Cricket Canada. What a disgrace! A call by a faceless selector who would rather hide behind a telephone instead of a direct meeting with Bin Zafar to explain the reason he is being ushered to the sidelines. Total lack of decency. Lack of class. Bin Zafar has been the backbone of Canada's national squad for the past 15 years, excelling with bat and ball, and captained the country's inaugural squad in the World Twenty20 Cup in 2024. Canada performed at a high level and, just when it had its sights on advancing to the next round following a stunning upset of Test nation Ireland, it saw its progress scuttled by its very own board. Cricket Canada, in its infinite wisdom, airlifted replacements without consulting the coach and captain. That move destroyed team morale and led to coach Pubudu Dassanayake resigning and filing a case for wrongful dismissal that is still before the courts. Following that debacle, Bin Zafar was recalled to lead his country again for the coming World Cup League 2 matches and this appointment was applauded by those familiar with the game. Then, this weekend a selector tells Bin Zafar his services are no longer required. Bin Zafar was unavailable for comment. The Sun also learned that two other seniors — Nicholas Kirton and Pargat Singh — also were cut from the 15-man squad. Kirton is another who has had a horrendous relationship with the board. The former captain lost his armband earlier this year and was then reinstated for the World Cup (50 overs) in India.