"ICC is dismayed at a non-cricket related tweet appearing on its Twitter feed earlier today," a statement read. "We would like to extend our sincere apologies to anyone who was offended during the short space of time it was up"
The ICC have apologised and opened an internal investigation after a politically-charged social media post was retweeted by their official Twitter account.
The governing body faced a backlash on Wednesday after the @ICC Twitter handle shared an archive video of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Asaram Bapu, the self-proclaimed spiritual guru who was this week convicted of raping a 16-year-old girl by a Jodphur court.
The video was originally tweeted by Pratik Sinha, a prominent critic of Modi, along with the caption: "Sharing some old sweet memories between @narendramodi and Asaram".
Its use by the ICC drew outrage from followers who felt the organisation should not be engaging in politics.
Sharing some old sweet memories between @narendramodi and Asaram. pic.twitter.com/c8cveZzn0f
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) April 25, 2018
A statement was issued via the same channel on Wednesday.
"ICC is dismayed at a non-cricket related tweet appearing on its Twitter feed earlier today," it read. "We would like to extend our sincere apologies to anyone who was offended during the short space of time it was up.
"We have launched an investigation into how this happened."
Bapu intends to appeal.
His conviction relates to a 2013 sexual assault of a teenager during a religious ceremony.
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