Bangladesh Excluded from T20 World Cup; Government Intervention Revealed

• Bangladesh was excluded from the T20 World Cup, with Scotland replacing them, after refusing to play matches in India.
• The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wanted to participate but cited government instructions and security concerns for not traveling to India.
• BCB Director Amjad Hussain confirmed the board's desire to play but stated they had to comply with the government's decision regarding foreign tours.
• The government deemed playing in India unsafe, despite ICC investigations finding no threat, and rejected requests for matches in Sri Lanka or group changes.
• The controversy reportedly escalated after Mustafizur Rahman's release from IPL by Kolkata Knight Riders, with BCB citing threats in the host city.

Why It Matters: Bangladesh's T20 World Cup exclusion stemmed from government-mandated refusal to play in India due to security concerns.