Naveed Akram Cheema Archives

PCB replaces Naveed Akram Cheema as team manager ahead of Bangladesh tour

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly removed Naveed Akram Cheema as the national men’s team manager ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh.

According to reports, Cheema, who has previously served multiple stints as Pakistan’s team manager, will not travel with the squad for the tour.

His latest spell with the side included the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, which drew widespread attention after the Indian team refused to shake hands with Pakistan players following a match during the tournament.

In Cheema’s place, the PCB has appointed Irtaza Kumail as the team manager for the Bangladesh tour. Kumail, an 18th-grade police officer, joined the cricket board two years ago and has earlier served as the national side’s security manager.

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Meanwhile, Salman Liaquat is also set to travel with the team as security officer, marking his first assignment with the Pakistan men’s squad.

The PCB has further confirmed that the team’s foreign coaching staff will join the squad directly in Dhaka. Pakistan are scheduled to depart for Bangladesh on March 8.

Ahead of their departure, the national side will participate in a two-day training camp in Lahore as part of preparations for their first ODI assignment since hosting Sri Lanka for a three-match series in November last year.

Pakistan will play all three matches of the series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

Pakistan ODI squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain.

Series schedule

March 8 – Pakistan arrive in Dhaka

March 10 – Practice session

March 11 – First ODI, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

March 13 – Second ODI, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

March 15 – Third ODI, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

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PCB unveils team management ahead of Bangladesh Tests

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday, unveiled the Team Management for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, featuring newly-appointed Naveed Akram Cheema.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the cricketing body has decided to appoint Cheema as the team manager.

Cheema served as the team manager on the tour of Australia and New Zealand from December 2023 to January 2024.

However, following the twin tours, he was replaced by Mansoor Rana as the team manager, while Wahab Riaz was appointed as the senior team manager for the series.

Following Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, Wahab and Mansoor were relieved of their managerial duties due to their reported failure to maintain discipline within the team.

Naveed Akram Cheema is set to resume his role as the new manager of the Pakistan cricket team, specifically to enforce strict discipline measures.

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The newly formed Pakistan team management further features head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood.

Drikus Saaimon will serve as the Strength and Conditioning Coach while Tim Neilsen was named the High-Performance coach.

Former South Africa cricketer Cliffe Deacon will continue to serve as the physio, while Talha Butt was named the analyst.

Pakistan team management further features security manager Irtiza Kumail while Nazeer Ahmed will serve as the media manager.

The upcoming series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, with the first Test commencing at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 21-25 August.

The second Test match will be played at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi from 30 August to 3 September.

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Naveed Akram Cheema to be appointed Pakistan team manager: sources

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is likely to appoint Naveed Akram Cheema as the team manager ahead of the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, according to sources.

Cheema served as the team manager on the tour of Australia and New Zealand from December 2023 to January 2024.

However, following the twin tours, he was replaced by Mansoor Rana as the team manager, while Wahab Riaz was appointed as the senior team manager for the series.

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Naveed Akram Cheema is set to resume his role as the new manager of the Pakistan cricket team, specifically to enforce strict discipline measures.

Reports suggest that PCB will announce the team management for the Bangladesh series in the next couple of days.

The upcoming series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, with the first Test commencing at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 21-25 August.

The second Test match will be played at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi from 30 August to 3 September.

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