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, included the use of the "P" word in reference to Pakistanis, as well as other offensive remarks aimed at Indians. Khizar Ali, who joined Cricket Scotland's board as a regional representative in May 2023, is now under scrutiny as a response to these posts.
Running Out Racism Calls for Urgent Action
Running out Racism, an organization Ali has been involved with, has called for an urgent investigation into the matter. A spokesperson from Running out Racism discussed the circulating tweets, saying, "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 organization also expressed surprise and disappointment over Ali's past remarks: "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."
Apologies and Clarifications from Khizar Ali
Ali has publicly addressed the issue, offering his sincere apologies. "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 said.
He further explained the context surrounding some of the remarks, noting that they have been 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 stated.
Commitment to Change
The controversy comes amid a broader push by Cricket Scotland to address issues of racism and inclusivity within the sport. Last year, an independent investigation highlighted institutional racism within Cricket Scotland, identifying 448 examples of such behavior. As a result, the board underwent a complete overhaul.
A Cricket Scotland spokesperson reaffirmed the organization's commitment to combating all forms 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. 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."
Despite the current controversy, Running out Racism acknowledged Ali's proactive steps to address the issue. "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," said a spokesperson from the organization.
As Cricket Scotland moves forward, the organization will undoubtedly face ongoing scrutiny from the public and various stakeholders. The investigation into Khizar Ali’s past tweets is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future narrative around inclusivity and respect within the sport.