Cricket Scotland has launched a formal investigation into Khizar Ali, a current member of its board, following revelations that he had previously posted tweets containing derogatory language. These tweets, which surfaced from 2012, include the use of the "P" word directed at Pakistanis and other offensive remarks aimed at Indians.
Ali, who joined Cricket Scotland's board as a regional representative in May 2023, had been involved in initiatives to address racism in the sport. This development has prompted Running out Racism, a key organization in the fight against racial discrimination in cricket, to call for an urgent investigation. Ali has also been associated with this organization, adding to the complexity of the situation.
An Apology and Context
In response to the controversy, Ali issued a public apology, acknowledging the hurt his past remarks may have caused. "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," he stated.
Ali further explained that some of the tweets have been taken out of context from the conversations they were part of. He expressed his willingness to engage in discussions with anyone concerned about these messages. "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," he said.
A Troubling Past
The situation has stirred emotions, particularly considering Cricket Scotland’s recent efforts to address institutional racism. Just last year, an independent investigation exposed 448 instances of institutional racism within the organization, leading to a complete overhaul of the board. Cricket Scotland has since committed to creating an inclusive environment and tackling all forms of discrimination. A spokesperson for Cricket Scotland reaffirmed this commitment in light of the recent developments. "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 behavior," the spokesperson asserted.
Running out Racism's Response
Running out Racism, an organization Ali has worked closely with, expressed their disappointment and concern over his past language. A spokesperson for the group commented on the historic 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."
The spokesperson also highlighted the feelings of betrayal among their members, given Ali's previous involvement with anti-racism efforts. "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 spokesperson added.
The unfolding investigation will likely be closely watched by those within Cricket Scotland and the broader cricketing community, particularly given the sport's recent history with racism and the ongoing efforts to foster a more inclusive environment. As scrutiny intensifies, the responses from both Cricket Scotland and Running out Racism emphasize the significant strides still needed to combat racism within the sport.