Scotland's Cricket Board is once again under the microscope, as a new controversy involving one of its members, Khizar Ali, has surfaced. Historic tweets from 2012 emerged, revealing Ali's use of derogatory language, including the "P" word to refer to Pakistanis and other offensive remarks aimed at Indians. These revelations have prompted Cricket Scotland to launch a formal investigation, shedding light on the persistent issues of racism within the organisation.
Ali, who joined the board of Cricket Scotland as a regional representative in May 2023, has apologised 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 stated.
Running out Racism's Call for Action
The advocacy group Running out Racism, with which Ali has been involved, was quick to respond, calling for an urgent investigation. A spokesperson from the group expressed the dismay and betrayal felt by the community: “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.”Cricket Scotland's Troubled Past
This incident comes on the heels of significant changes at Cricket Scotland, triggered by an independent investigation last year that unveiled institutional racism within the organisation. The investigation identified a staggering 448 examples of systemic racism, leading to a complete overhaul of the board. Despite these efforts to reform and create an inclusive environment, the recent revelations suggest that Cricket Scotland’s journey towards eradicating discrimination is far from over.
The independent review had previously compelled Cricket Scotland to adopt stringent measures to combat racism and ensure inclusivity. A spokesperson for Cricket Scotland reaffirmed this commitment: "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."Ali’s Stand and Community Response
Responding to the backlash and the ongoing circulation of his past tweets, Ali sought to place them in context, though it did little to assuage the hurt caused. "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 explained.
Running out Racism also acknowledged Ali's attempts to address the controversy but highlighted the deep-seated anguish within the 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. 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."The Road Ahead
The unfolding situation is a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance and proactive measures to combat racism in sports. While Cricket Scotland has made strides in addressing the deep-rooted issues within its governance, this incident underscores the lingering presence of harmful attitudes and the critical need for genuine, sustained change.
With the formal investigation underway, the cricket community in Scotland and beyond will be watching closely to see how the organisation navigates this delicate and significant test of its renewed commitment to inclusivity and respect.