Cricket Scotland has found itself at the heart of a controversy following the emergence of historic tweets by Khizar Ali, a current board member. The tweets, which date back to 2012, contained offensive language, including the use of the "P" word in reference to Pakistanis and derogatory remarks aimed at Indians.
The revelations have sparked a formal investigation by Cricket Scotland, which has recently been making efforts to address and eliminate racism within its ranks. Khizar Ali, who became a regional representative on Cricket Scotland's board in May 2023, has been quick to respond to the backlash. Ali issued an apology, stating, "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 Demands Urgent Investigation
The advocacy group Running out Racism, which has been involved in exposing racial issues within Scottish cricket, has called for an urgent investigation into the matter. A spokesperson for the organization expressed the community's feelings: "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."
Ali has attempted to contextualize his remarks from 2012, acknowledging that some of the tweets are being shared outside the context of their original conversations. He remains open to discussions with those affected: "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 said.
Historical Context of Racism in Cricket Scotland
This incident comes against the backdrop of significant institutional reforms within Cricket Scotland. The organization was subjected to a comprehensive overhaul last year after an independent investigation identified 448 instances of institutional racism. As a result, the entire board was replaced to facilitate a cultural and operational reset, aimed at making the sport more inclusive.
A Cricket Scotland spokesperson emphasized the organization's commitment to eradicating discrimination: "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."
Community and Organizational Response
Within the community, the reaction has been mixed. Many acknowledge Ali’s efforts to own up to his past mistakes and engage in constructive dialogues. However, the disappointment is palpable. The spokesperson from Running out Racism articulated this complex sentiment: "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."
As Cricket Scotland navigates yet another phase of scrutiny, the organization’s approach and response to this situation will be critical in shaping its future. The formal investigation into Khizar Ali's tweets will likely be a litmus test of the board’s renewed commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, free of discrimination.