Cricket Scotland found itself amid controversy as a formal investigation commenced following the discovery of derogatory tweets posted by board member Khizar Ali. The tweets, which date back to 2012, include the use of the inflammatory "P" word referring to Pakistanis, alongside other offensive remarks targeting Indians.
Ali, who was appointed to the Cricket Scotland board as a regional representative in May 2023, is currently under scrutiny. The organization, Running out Racism, has emphasized the urgency for an immediate investigation, expressing dismay and disillusionment over the situation. Ali has been associated with Running out Racism, further complicating the matter.
Historic Tweets Surface
The controversy erupted when screenshots of Ali's historic tweets began circulating. Ali openly addressed the issue, acknowledging the offensive nature of 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 stated.
Adding to the complexity, Ali mentioned, "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."
A History of Institutional Change
Cricket Scotland's recent history is marked by significant reforms. Last year, an independent investigation unearthed 448 examples of institutional racism within the governance of Scottish cricket, prompting a complete overhaul of the organization's board. This investigation has evidently shaped Cricket Scotland's contemporary commitment to fostering an inclusive environment and eradicating all forms of discrimination.
A spokesperson for Cricket Scotland reaffirmed their dedication to inclusivity and zero tolerance for unacceptable behavior. "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," the spokesperson declared.
Running out Racism's Stance
Running out Racism, an organization Ali has been associated with, strongly condemned his past language. "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 from Running out Racism remarked.
They continued, expressing the community's profound disappointment: "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."
Moving Forward
The situation presents a challenge for Cricket Scotland, already under the lens for previous inadequacies in handling race-related issues. The organization must navigate the delicate balance between acknowledging past mistakes and reinforcing their current stance against discrimination. With the investigation underway, this incident serves as a critical test of Cricket Scotland's resolve in upholding its principles of inclusivity and respect within the sport.