Have we forgotten MCC's first honorary life member Rais Uddin Ahmed?

Since its establishment in 1787, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has been the custodian of the Laws of cricket.

Since 1861, the club has also awarded Honorary Life Membership to outstanding cricketing personalities.

Recently, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president and former captain Tamim Iqbal was named an Honorary Life Member of the MCC.

Alongside Tamim, New Zealand's Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine, Australia's Mel Jones and India's Cheteshwar Pujara were also honoured.

The news has been widely reported by Bangladeshi media.

Most reports noted that former BCB president Saber Hossain Chowdhury received the honour in 2003 and former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Bin Mortaza in 2013.

However, one significant fact has largely been overlooked.

The first Bangladeshi to receive MCC Honorary Life Membership was Rais Uddin Ahmed.

At the time, he was serving as general secretary of the then Bangladesh Cricket Control Board (BCCB).

Most MCC Honorary Life Members are former cricketers while cricket administrators are miniscule.

Of the two Bangladeshi administrators to receive the honour, one is Saber Hossain.

But does anyone in Bangladesh's media or cricket fraternity still remember that Rais Uddin was the country's first recipient of this prestigious recognition?

His contribution to Bangladesh's entry into international cricket was immense.

After becoming general secretary of the BCCB in 1976, he initiated the process of securing ICC membership for Bangladesh.

At that time, the ICC's administrative affairs were managed by the MCC, whose meetings were held at Lord's.

It was for this reason that Rais Uddin invited the MCC to tour Bangladesh.

Through his initiative, the MCC visited Bangladesh between December 1976 and January 1977.

That historic tour marked the beginning of Bangladesh's journey in international cricket.

On 7 January 1977, Bangladesh played a three-day first-class match against the MCC.

It was then regarded as an unofficial Test which further strengthened the country's bid for international recognition.

Impressed by Bangladesh's hospitality and the national team's performances, the MCC submitted a favourable report.

On the strength of that report, Bangladesh was granted Associate Membership of the ICC at its annual general meeting in July 1977.

Two years later, the country qualified to compete in the 1979 ICC Trophy.

The news of his MCC Honorary Life Membership was first reported by the late sports editor of Dainik Bangla, Muhammad Kamruzzaman.

“Rais bhai served as cricket secretary of the East Pakistan Sports Federation, he knew how to organise a tournament drawing on that experience, he hosted the MCC brilliantly. It was because of the success of that tour that the door to international cricket opened for Bangladesh. That is why the MCC awarded him Honorary Life Membership,” he recalled.

Kamruzzaman stumbled upon the news by chance, a torn page from The Times of London lying on the floor of Islamia Hotel, which revealed that Rais Uddin had quietly been made an MCC Honorary Life Member without telling a soul.

Rais Uddin passed away five years ago, his immense contribution during Bangladesh cricket's formative years largely faded from public memory.

He received MCC Honorary Life Membership 45 years ago.

Why then are we so reluctant to remember and honour a man whose vision and dedication helped shape the history of Bangladesh cricket?