PCB announces team management for home Test series against Bangladesh

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the team management lineup for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh. Leading the team is the newly-appointed manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, who steps back into the role after a brief hiatus.

Cheema, who previously served as the team manager during Pakistan's tour of Australia and New Zealand from December 2023 to January 2024, was replaced by Mansoor Rana for subsequent series. 

However, following Pakistan’s underwhelming performance in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, both Rana and senior team manager Wahab Riaz were relieved of their duties due to reported issues with maintaining discipline within the squad.

The PCB has now reinstated Cheema with a clear mandate to enforce strict discipline and guide the team through the crucial Test series.

Alongside Cheema, the newly-formed management team includes renowned Australian coach Jason Gillespie as the head coach and former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood as the assistant coach. 

Drikus Saaimon will take charge as the Strength and Conditioning Coach, while Tim Neilsen has been appointed as the High-Performance coach. 

Former South African cricketer Cliffe Deacon will continue his role as the team's physio, and Talha Butt has been named as the analyst. The management team is further supported by security manager Irtiza Kumail and media manager Nazeer Ahmed.

This Test series against Bangladesh is a key component of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. 

The first Test is set to take place at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21-25, followed by the second Test at National Bank Stadium in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.