Cricket Scotland has found itself at the center of controversy following the emergence of historical tweets by Khizar Ali, a current board member, which contained offensive language. Ali, who joined the board as a regional representative in May 2023, has admitted to using the "P" word in reference to Pakistanis back in 2012, alongside making other derogatory remarks aimed at Indians.
A Storm of Reactions
The tweets, which resurface at a time when Cricket Scotland is actively working to rebuild its image after an independent investigation last year revealed extensive institutional racism, have caused an uproar. The independent investigation identified 448 examples of institutional racism, leading to an overhaul of the board. The current leadership, including Ali, was part of this significant restructuring aimed at fostering an inclusive environment within the sport.
Cricket Scotland has expressed its zero-tolerance stance on discrimination, emphasizing its commitment to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for all. "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," stated a spokesperson from Cricket Scotland.
Accountability and Apology
In light of the controversy, Khizar Ali has come forward to address the matter. "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," Ali expressed, acknowledging the hurt his words have caused.
Nonetheless, Ali maintains that some of his tweets are being 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," he added, showcasing a willingness to engage in dialogue and address concerns head-on.
Running out Racism's Call for Urgency
Running out Racism, an organization Ali has been involved with, has quickly responded, demanding an urgent investigation into the matter. "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 for the organization stated.
The spokesperson added that members of the organization feel "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."
Moving Forward
The incident comes at a critical time for Cricket Scotland, which has been striving to rectify its past failings and build a more inclusive future. The sports community will be keenly watching how the investigation unfolds and the steps taken to address the issues raised by Ali's historic tweets.
Cricket Scotland's commitment to tackling all forms of discrimination will undoubtedly be tested as it navigates this controversy. For now, the organization stands firm in its dedication to fostering an environment of respect and inclusivity within the sport, potentially turning this incident into a learning opportunity for greater transparency and dialogue.