Cricket Scotland has found itself at the center of controversy following the discovery of historical tweets from one of its board members, Khizar Ali. These tweets, dating back to 2012, contain derogatory language, including the "P" word referring to Pakistanis, as well as other offensive remarks aimed at Indians.
This revelation has prompted a formal investigation by Cricket Scotland. To address the matter urgently, the anti-racism campaign group Running out Racism has called for immediate action. 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."
Khizar Ali, who joined Cricket Scotland's board as a regional representative in May 2023, has publicly acknowledged and apologized 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," Ali said in his statement. He added, "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."
This incident comes in the wake of Cricket Scotland's significant overhaul last year, after an independent investigation revealed widespread institutional racism within the organization. The probe identified a staggering 448 instances of such behavior. In response, the entire Cricket Scotland board was replaced as part of a broader effort to reform the governance of the sport in the country.
Addressing the current situation, a Cricket Scotland spokesperson reiterated the board's commitment to inclusivity and zero tolerance towards 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 behaviour."
The reaction from the Running out Racism group reflects the complex emotions stirred by this development. "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," said a spokesperson for the organization.
Cricket Scotland's immediate challenge will be to navigate this crisis while maintaining its stance against all forms of discrimination. Ensuring that such values are not just articulated but also practiced consistently is critical for rebuilding trust within the community. As the investigation unfolds, the cricketing community and beyond will be watching closely to see how Cricket Scotland handles this sensitive issue.