Justifying the ban on cow slaughter, the Union minister of state for minority affairs said on Thursday, "Those who cannot survive without eating beef should go to Pakistan."
According to a top ICC source, the decision was more or less finalised during an informal meeting between the body's new president Jay Shah and the Board of Directors, including Pakistan, at its headquarters in Dubai on Thursday.
On Friday, he clarified that he was referring to Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh where no such incident had taken place. "We do not justify anarchy and hooliganism," he said, adding that the incident in Alwar did take place and an FIR has been registered against six persons.
The PCB has now left it up to the ICC to finalise and announce the tournament schedule and also get confirmation from the BCCI whether the Indian team will travel to Pakistan.
With May 31 being the last date for filing nomination, the party is set to announce the names of more candidates soon.
Pakistan's cricket community also reacted with anger to India's decision as former Test captain Rashid Latif insisted that the PCB has to make a strong statement.
Richards could mentor the team in the World Cup a role fulfilled by former Australian opener, Matthew Hayden in the last two T20 World Cups in 2021 and 2022 where Pakistan reached the semi-final and final.
A fresh controversy erupted in the Bharatiya Janata Party with senior leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi making an angry outburst against induction of expelled Janata Dal-United leader Sabir Ali whom he called a "friend" of terrorist Yasin Bhatkal and mocked that Dawood Ibrahim could be the next entrant.
The Deputy Chairman angrily made certain comments targeting Naqvi which were expunged later.
Bharatiya Janata Party Vice-President Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Monday claimed the National Democratic Alliance will win 300 plus seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as the people want a stable alternative.
After Rajnath Singh and Uma Bharti, another union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi feels the same.
Pakistan's new white-ball captain Muhammad Rizwan, after initial reluctance, has agreed to the PCB's new selection policy and will not have any voting right in the short-listing of touring squads or the playing eleven, according to a source in the board.
PCB unfortunately didn't have solid support from other members on the executive board and even the ICC management didn't give them the respect they deserved.
Former Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Zaka Ashraf denied any groupings in the dressing room.
With the rift between the two National Democratic Alliance allies widening, Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Nitin Gadkari and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today met Janata Dal-United President Sharad Yadav, who said efforts are being made to rectify the situation that has taken a "bad shape".
Senior vice-president of the Bhartiya Janata Party Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has rejected Congress leader Jagdish Tytler's claims that the Vajpayee government had dropped the cases against Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and BJP leaders for their alleged role in the anti-Sikh riots that broke out after the assassination of then prime minister Indira Gandhi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday made it clear that it has made no proposal to play an offshore T20I series against India.
Babar Azam was dropped on Sunday, while the pace duo Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah opted to withdraw from the remaining two Tests against England.
The Allahabad high court on Wednesday adjourned to February 12 the hearing on a plea challenging the Varanasi district court order allowing Hindu prayers in a cellar of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi.
A well-informed source close to Shaheen said that the bowler was upset that not even once the PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi or the national selectors have spoken to him about their future plans as far as the captaincy or appointment of coaches is concerned.
Pakistan's newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday announced that he would not draw any salary during his tenure as part of his bid to help the cash-strapped country face the challenging economic hardship.
A PCB source however told PTI that recent media speculations about Shan Masood and Babar Azam's sacking is nothing more than kite flying.
Babar Azam lost his interest in captaining Pakistan's white ball teams after a critical report submitted by head coach Gary Kirsten to PCB.
Pakistan cricketers face the risk of having their central contracts reviewed
The new-look Indian team to be captained by Shubman Gill departed for their upcoming tour for Zimbabwe on Tuesday.
Shane Watson turned down after the Pakistan head coach job after details of the contract were leaked to the media.
Uttar Pradesh minister Azam Khan on Thursday generated another controversy when he suggested to 2 senior Muslim Bharatiya Janata Party leaders to marry Muslim women.
The Allahabad high court on Tuesday heard both the Hindu and Muslim sides on the Gyanvapi mosque committee's appeal challenging the Varanasi district court order allowing Hindu prayers in a cellar of the mosque.
Babar had stepped down from his leadership role across formats following the conclusion of the 2023 ODI World Cup.
But senior superintendent of police, operations, Lahore Syed Ali Raza told the Dawn newspaper that "Tamba is still alive but critically injured".
The Pakistan Cricket Board is not happy with former skipper Babar Azam and the current national T20 skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi participating on a space with fans conducted on social media platform 'X'.
"The guidance and leadership of Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani has always been there and would continue," the BJP vice-president told reporters.
Champions Trophy headlines Pakistan's home season but India uncertainty remains
Pakistan cricket authorities have suggested the International Cricket Council to schedule India's qualifying round matches only in one city during the Champions Trophy next year.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has suggested Lahore as India's home base during next year's ICC Champions Trophy.
Pakistan have dropped plans to conduct "major surgery" on the national team as it included senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Test squad for the two-match series against Bangladesh.
BJP vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told RSS mouthpiece Panchjanya that he believed the rebel leader was committed.
After Shane Watson turned down the offer, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in contact with several foreign coaches, including Justin Langer and Gary Kirsten, to work with the national team as head coach on a long-term contract.
Shan Masood to continue as Pakistan Test captain, decision on Babar Azam put on hold
