Cricket Scotland has found itself at the center of a new controversy as it initiates a formal investigation into historic tweets by Khizar Ali, a current board member. The tweets, originating from 2012, reportedly contain derogatory language, including the use of the "P" word in reference to Pakistanis, as well as offensive remarks aimed at Indians.
Ali, who joined Cricket Scotland's board as a regional representative in May 2023, has come under scrutiny following the sharing of screenshots of these tweets. In response, he issued an apology, recognizing the impact of his words on the South Asian and cricketing communities.
"There were recent screenshots shared of historic tweets from 2012 where I used the P word," Ali stated. "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."
A Call for Action
The organization Running out Racism, which has been actively involved in advocating against racism in cricket, has called for an urgent investigation into the matter. With their connections and influence within the sport, the group’s reaction is significant, highlighting the deep concerns within the community.
A spokesperson for Running out Racism elaborated, "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 racialized communities. This includes racially offensive terms, such as the P word on numerous occasions."
Expressing the disappointment felt by many, the spokesperson added, "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."
Cricket Scotland’s Commitment
Cricket Scotland has been in the spotlight for issues of racial discrimination before. Last year, the organization underwent a major overhaul following an independent investigation that uncovered institutional racism within its governance. The damning report documented 448 examples of such racism, compelling a complete change in the board's composition.
A spokesperson for Cricket Scotland reaffirmed the board's commitment to creating an inclusive environment, free of 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," the spokesperson stated. "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 behavior."
Ali’s Willingness to Engage
Ali himself has acknowledged that some of the tweets are being shared out of their original context and has expressed his willingness to discuss concerns directly. "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 emphasized.
This situation epitomizes the ongoing struggle against racism within sports and highlights the responsibility held by governing bodies and their representatives. As Cricket Scotland navigates the fallout from this incident, the organization’s actions will be closely watched by the cricketing community and beyond. The commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on racism will be tested as it aims to uphold the principles of inclusivity and respect in the sport.