Cricket Scotland, the governing body for cricket in Scotland, has initiated a formal investigation after it was revealed that Khizar Ali, one of its board members, had previously posted derogatory tweets. These tweets, dating back to 2012, included the use of racially offensive language aimed at Pakistanis and Indians.
Khizar Ali, who joined the board in May 2023 as a regional representative, has since expressed his sincere apologies for the remarks made in his now-archived tweets. "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.
Running out Racism's Response
Running out Racism, an organization committed to addressing racism within cricket, has called for an urgent investigation into the matter. Speaking on behalf of the group, a spokesperson commented, "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." The spokesperson added, "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."
Cricket Scotland's Commitment to Inclusion
This incident comes amidst Cricket Scotland’s ongoing efforts to create an inclusive environment and tackle all forms of discrimination within the sport. The organization underwent significant changes last year, after an independent investigation uncovered widespread institutional racism within the governance of Scottish cricket. The investigation identified a staggering 448 examples of institutional racism, prompting a complete overhaul of Cricket Scotland's board.
A Cricket Scotland spokesperson emphasized the organization’s dedication to ensuring the sport remains inclusive and safe for everyone. "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.
Khizar Ali's Apology and Cooperation
Khizar Ali has expressed his willingness to address concerns and engage with anyone affected by his past remarks. "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.
While this incident has understandably stirred emotions within the cricketing community, both Running out Racism and Cricket Scotland seem committed to addressing the issue with the sensitivity and seriousness it requires. Cricket Scotland's recent history of grappling with institutional racism adds a layer of complexity to the situation, highlighting the need for continued vigilance in creating a genuinely inclusive and respectful environment for all involved in the sport.