Cricket Scotland has initiated a formal investigation following the uncovering of past tweets by Khizar Ali, a recently appointed member of its board. These tweets, dating back to 2012, contain derogatory language including the offensive "P" word aimed at Pakistanis and remarks targeting Indians.
Khizar Ali, who joined the board as a regional representative in May 2023, finds himself at the center of a controversy that underscores the unresolved issues of racism within the sport. Running out Racism, an advocacy group focused on eliminating racial discrimination in cricket, has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the matter.
Troubling Past Resurfaces
Ali's tweets, now over a decade old, have resurfaced and triggered a significant backlash. In a statement addressing the issue, Khizar Ali expressed his regret and extended an apology: "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."
Despite Ali's efforts to contextualize the tweets, stressing that they are being circulated out of their original context, the damage has been done. "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.
Historical Context of Racism in Cricket Scotland
The incident comes on the heels of a significant institutional overhaul within Cricket Scotland. Just last year, an independent investigation revealed the extent of institutional racism within the organization. The investigation uncovered 448 examples of racial discrimination, leading to a complete reconstitution of Cricket Scotland's board.
A spokesperson from Cricket Scotland reaffirmed their commitment to inclusivity and zero tolerance towards 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."
Running out Racism's Stance
The advocacy group Running out Racism, with which Khizar Ali has been actively involved, expressed their disappointment over the resurfaced tweets. "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," a spokesperson from the group stated.
While acknowledging Ali's willingness to address the issue head-on, the group remains distressed by the revelations. "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."
The Path Forward
As the investigation unfolds, Cricket Scotland is expected to navigate through this sensitive period with a renewed focus on fostering an inclusive environment. The recent events serve as a critical reminder of the ongoing battle against racism in sports and the importance of continued vigilance and reform.
In the meantime, the cricketing community remains watchful, eager to see how Cricket Scotland will act on its commitment to zero tolerance against racism and other forms of discrimination.