Cricket Scotland has launched a formal investigation after controversial tweets from board member Khizar Ali surfaced. The tweets, dating back to 2012, contain derogatory language, including the use of the "P" word referring to Pakistanis and other offensive remarks directed at Indians.
Ali, who joined Cricket Scotland's board as a regional representative in May 2023, admitted to the historical posts, which have caused significant unrest within the cricketing and South Asian communities. The group Running out Racism, with which Ali has been involved, called for an immediate inquiry into the matter.
In a statement addressing the controversy, Ali expressed regret for his past actions. "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 issued a response through a spokesperson, highlighting the severity of Ali's comments. "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 for Running out Racism elaborated on the organization's disappointment, adding, "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."
Ali also addressed the broader context of the tweets in question, stating, "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."
An Ongoing Commitment to Change
This incident comes at a critical time for Cricket Scotland, which has been striving to rebuild its reputation following a scathing independent investigation last year. The investigation uncovered 448 examples of institutional racism within the governance of the game in Scotland, prompting a complete overhaul of the board.
A Cricket Scotland spokesperson reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to fostering an inclusive environment: "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."
As part of these efforts, the board has taken numerous steps to address and eliminate discrimination at all levels of the sport, including revising policies and engaging with communities directly affected by racism. The ongoing investigation into Ali's past remarks serves as another critical test of Cricket Scotland's commitment to these values.
While the investigation is underway, the cricketing community remains vigilant, keen to see how the situation will unfold. Ali's willingness to address the issue candidly and engage in dialogue may play a vital role in the community’s healing process. Nevertheless, the controversy underscores the long journey ahead for Cricket Scotland as it navigates the complexities of leading a sport marred by a history of exclusion and prejudice.