Cricket Scotland Launches Investigation into Board Member's Offensive Tweets
Scotland's cricketing world has been roiled by the emergence of controversial tweets from Khizar Ali, a member of Cricket Scotland's board, prompting the organization to initiate a formal investigation. The tweets in question, dating back to 2012, include the use of the derogatory "P" word in reference to Pakistanis and offensive remarks aimed at Indians.
Historic Tweets Resurface
Khizar Ali, who joined the board in May 2023 as a regional representative, posted the contentious tweets over a decade ago. Screenshots of these tweets began circulating recently, raising immediate concerns. One tweet prominently featured the "P" word, a term deeply offensive within South Asian and cricketing communities.
Addressing the backlash, Ali expressed deep regret. "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.
Calls for Swift Action
The controversy triggered an urgent call for investigation from Running out Racism, a campaign group dedicated to eradicating racial discrimination within Scottish cricket. A spokespeople for the organization articulated their 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."
Echoing the sentiment of disappointment, 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."
Context and Accountability
Amid the controversy, Ali insisted that some tweets were being shared out of context. "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.
A History of Racism in Cricket Scotland
This incident comes on the heels of significant upheaval within Cricket Scotland. Last year, an independent investigation uncovered rampant institutional racism within the sport's governance in Scotland, identifying 448 examples of such behaviour. The findings led to a complete overhaul of Cricket Scotland's board. The governing body has since committed itself to fostering an inclusive environment and eradicating all forms of discrimination.
Reflecting on the profound changes, a Cricket Scotland spokesperson reaffirmed their zero-tolerance stance on 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."
As the investigation progresses, the cricketing community will be watching closely to see how this episode is resolved and how it impacts the broader efforts to create a more inclusive environment for the sport in Scotland.