Cricket Scotland has initiated a formal investigation following revelations that Khizar Ali, a member of its board, had previously posted tweets containing derogatory language. The tweets, which date back to 2012, include the use of the racially offensive "P" word in reference to Pakistanis, and other disparaging remarks aimed at Indians.
Khizar Ali, who assumed his role as a regional representative on the Cricket Scotland board in May 2023, has found himself in the midst of a controversy that has prompted immediate calls for action. The advocacy group Running out Racism has urged for an urgent and thorough investigation into the matter.
An Unresolved Past
Ali's historical tweets, first brought to light through recent screenshots, have sparked considerable uproar. In a statement addressing the issue, Ali expressed his regret: "There were recent screenshots shared of historic tweets from 2012 where I used the P word. The reading of the word in full for some within the South Asian and cricketing communities will invoke and trigger upset. To anyone who has to read that and it caused upset, I want to extend my sincere apologies to you."
Running out Racism, an organization with which Ali has been actively involved, shared their dismay at the revelations. "We have been made aware of the historic tweets circulating in relation to Cricket Scotland board member and WDCU chair Khizar Ali, from 2012 which include comments regarding various racialised communities. This includes racially offensive terms, such as the P word on numerous occasions," stated a spokesperson for the group.
Damage Control and Commitments
As the news of the tweets continues to reverberate within the cricketing community, Ali has indicated his willingness to address concerns directly, emphasizing that some tweets were being shared out of context. "There are also various other tweets which are being shared out of context of the conversation they sit within, and I am willing to commit to any discussions directly with anyone who has any concerns on these, as I have already with a number of colleagues," Ali added.
The timing of this scandal is particularly significant given Cricket Scotland's recent history with issues of racism. Just last year, an independent investigation revealed institutional racism within the governance of the sport in Scotland. This damning report identified 448 specific examples of institutional racism and led to a complete overhaul of the Cricket Scotland board.
A Crucial Moment for Reform
The newly constituted board of Cricket Scotland has reaffirmed its commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment. "The board of Cricket Scotland was completely changed last year after an independent investigation found the governance of the game in Scotland to be institutionally racist. We are committed to ensuring that our sport is safe, welcoming, inclusive, and open to all. We are determined to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to racism, sexism, and all forms of unacceptable behaviour," said a spokesperson for Cricket Scotland.
In the wake of the controversy, Running out Racism has expressed both disappointment and recognition of Ali's efforts to confront the issue. "Running out Racism members are surprised, dismayed and feel incredibly let down that someone we've a huge amount of respect for would use such words, in any context, at any point in history. This has caused upset and anger with some we support and represent, it is difficult at this stage to work beyond how people feel in the immediate term. However, we do acknowledge Khizar’s willingness to proactively own this, and appreciate the conversations he's engaged in directly with us and many others regarding these messages," a spokesperson noted.
As Cricket Scotland embarks on this latest investigation, the broader cricket community will be watching closely. The organization’s commitment to rooting out all forms of discrimination will be put to the test once again, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance, accountability, and genuine reform in sports governance.