Cricket Scotland has embarked on a formal investigation following the discovery of controversial tweets made by Khizar Ali, a board member. The tweets, which surfaced from as far back as 2012, include the derogatory use of the "P" word referring to Pakistanis, alongside other offensive remarks aimed at Indians.
Ali, who has been a regional representative on the Cricket Scotland board since May 2023, is now under intense scrutiny. Running out Racism, an organization dedicated to combating racism within cricket, has called for an urgent investigation into the matter. The organization expressed shock and disappointment, given Ali's previous involvement with them.
Significant changes swept through Cricket Scotland just last year after an independent inquiry revealed extensive institutional racism within the sport's governance framework. The investigation uncovered a staggering 448 examples of such behavior, leading to a complete overhaul of the board. In light of these efforts to cultivate an inclusive environment, the recent revelations surrounding Ali are particularly disheartening.
Khizar Ali has since issued an apology for his past remarks. "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.
Despite the apology, Ali's past comments have stirred emotions within the cricket community. "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," a spokesperson for Running out Racism stated. "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, they also acknowledged Ali’s willingness to confront the issue head-on. "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.
Cricket Scotland's response underscores a zero-tolerance policy towards racism and 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 behavior," a spokesperson for the organization emphasized.
Ali has indicated his readiness to discuss the context surrounding the other tweets. "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 said.
The unfolding situation serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges and complexities in eradicating racism from the sport. While Cricket Scotland’s recent past has seen significant strides towards inclusivity, incidents like these highlight the importance of sustained vigilance and commitment.
As investigations continue and dialogues unfold, the cricketing community will be closely monitoring the steps taken by Cricket Scotland to address these serious allegations. The outcome will inevitably contribute to shaping the future governance and culture of the sport in Scotland.