Cricket Scotland has launched an official investigation after discovering that Khizar Ali, a recently appointed board member, previously posted tweets that contained derogatory language. The tweets from 2012 feature the use of the "P" word to refer to Pakistanis and other offensive remarks directed at Indians.
Khizar Ali, who became a regional representative on the Cricket Scotland board in May 2023, is currently under scrutiny following the emergence of these historical tweets. The group Running out Racism has called for an urgent inquiry. Ali has been actively involved with Running out Racism, an organization dedicated to eradicating racism within the sport.
A Troubled History
Cricket Scotland experienced substantial upheaval last year after an independent investigation identified 448 instances of institutional racism within the sport's governance in Scotland. This led to a complete overhaul of the Cricket Scotland board. Despite these efforts to foster an inclusive and discrimination-free environment, the discover of Khizar Ali’s historic tweets has cast a new shadow.
Responses to the Allegations
In a statement, Khizar Ali addressed the situation, saying, "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 further acknowledged that the tweets might be taken out of context and expressed his willingness to discuss the issues directly with those affected.
The Running out Racism group, through a spokesperson, shared its dismay: "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
A spokesperson for Cricket Scotland commented on the unfolding situation: "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."
This investigation into Khizar Ali's past comments illustrates Cricket Scotland’s ongoing efforts to address issues of discrimination head-on. By launching this formal inquiry, the organization aims to maintain its commitment to an inclusive sporting environment and uphold the changes instituted after last year’s independent probe.
The Cricket Scotland community, along with the wider public, will undoubtedly await the results of this investigation with keen interest. As the sport continues its journey towards inclusivity and equality, moments like these serve as critical benchmarks for the progress that has been made and the work that still lies ahead.