Cricket Scotland has launched a formal investigation following revelations regarding derogatory language used by Khizar Ali, a current board member. Tweets originating from Ali's account in 2012 surfaced, showcasing the use of the "P" word directed at Pakistanis, along with other offensive comments aimed at Indians.
Khizar Ali, who joined Cricket Scotland's board as a regional representative in May 2023, acknowledged the problematic nature of his past tweets and extended his 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," Ali stated.
The screenshots, brought to public attention by Running out Racism, an organization Ali has been actively involved with, have sparked calls for an urgent investigation. A spokesperson from Running out Racism said, "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."
Community Reaction
The organization expressed shock and disappointment at the language used by someone they had previously respected. "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.
Ali addressed the context of the tweets and his willingness to engage in dialogue. "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 remarked.
Cricket Scotland's Commitment
Cricket Scotland has pledged to confront discrimination and ensure inclusivity within the sport. The organization faced a major overhaul last year when an independent investigation revealed numerous instances of institutional racism. The investigation documented 448 examples of institutional racism, leading to a complete restructuring of Cricket Scotland's board.
"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," a Cricket Scotland spokesperson stated.
Next Steps
As Cricket Scotland moves forward with the investigation, the organization remains focused on maintaining transparency and addressing any issues of racism head-on. The commitment to creating an inclusive environment and fostering respect continues to be a guiding principle for Cricket Scotland.
The unfolding situation underscores the delicate balance the sporting world must maintain between acknowledging past indiscretions and committing to a future free from discrimination and prejudice. As investigations proceed, the actions taken by Cricket Scotland will be closely watched by the cricketing community and beyond.