Cricket Scotland has found itself at the center of a new controversy, just over a year after an independent investigation revealed deep-seated issues of institutional racism within the organization. The governing body for the sport in Scotland has launched a formal investigation after derogatory tweets resurfaced from 2012, posted by Khizar Ali, a current board member.
Ali, who entered Cricket Scotland's board as a regional representative in May 2023, had previously posted tweets containing the "P" word to refer to Pakistanis along with other offensive remarks aimed at Indians. The revelations have sparked reactions from various quarters, including Running out Racism, an organization Ali has been actively involved with, which has called for an urgent investigation.
Controversial Tweets and Apology
In response to the controversy, Ali issued an apology, acknowledging the hurt his past remarks may have caused. "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.
Ali also addressed concerns about the context of his 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 noted.
Running out Racism’s Reaction
The organization Running out Racism, which advocates for inclusivity and against racial discrimination in cricket, expressed its disappointment upon learning about Ali's past remarks. "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 for the organization commented.
The spokesperson further 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 Inclusivity
Cricket Scotland, which experienced a complete overhaul of its board last year after the startling findings of institutional racism, reaffirmed its commitment to creating an inclusive environment. A spokesperson for Cricket Scotland emphasized the organization's stance against 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 independent investigation, which was triggered by concerns raised about systemic racism within Cricket Scotland, documented 448 examples of institutional racism. This led to significant structural changes within the organization, aiming to address and eradicate discriminatory practices.
With this recent incident involving Ali, Cricket Scotland is once again in the spotlight, navigating the challenging waters of rebuilding trust and ensuring that their platform is one of inclusivity and respect for all communities involved. The ongoing investigation and the reactions from both the administration and advocacy groups will likely shape the next steps in Cricket Scotland's quest for a more inclusive cricketing environment.