Cricket Scotland has found itself embroiled in controversy following the emergence of historical tweets from board member Khizar Ali, which contained derogatory language targeting Pakistanis and Indians. The incendiary tweets, dating back to 2012, have sparked an urgent investigation by the governing body, underscoring the organization's determination to foster an inclusive environment.
A Call for Immediate Action
Running out Racism, an advocacy group dedicated to combating racism in cricket, was swift in its demand for an urgent investigation into the matter. The organization, which has a working relationship with Ali, expressed its dismay at the revelations. A spokesperson for Running out Racism remarked, "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."
An Apology Offered
In response to the backlash, Khizar Ali issued a public apology, attempting to address the hurt caused by his past remarks. "There were recent screenshots shared of historic tweets from 2012 where I used the P word," Ali acknowledged. "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."
Ali further addressed the context of his other tweets, 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."
Historic Changes in Cricket Scotland
This controversy surfaces at a particularly sensitive time for Cricket Scotland, which has been striving to rebuild its reputation following a devastating report last year. The independent investigation that surfaced in 2022 unveiled a staggering 448 examples of institutional racism within the governance of the sport in Scotland. The findings prompted a complete overhaul of Cricket Scotland’s board.
In light of these serious issues, Cricket Scotland reiterated its commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all. A spokesperson for the organization underscored, "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."
Disappointment and Moving Forward
The reaction within the cricketing community has been one of disappointment and betrayal. A spokesperson for Running out Racism captured the community's sentiments eloquently: "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."
As Cricket Scotland embarks on yet another investigation to address these concerns, the onus is on the organization to ensure stringent measures are implemented to prevent any recurrence of such incidents. Khizar Ali’s future with the board remains uncertain, but his willingness to engage with those affected may play a critical role in the resolution of this controversy. For now, the cricketing community will be closely watching how Cricket Scotland navigates this latest challenge in its journey towards inclusivity and integrity.