LAHORE: Pakistan on Saturday appointed retired top military officer Naveed Cheema as manager for next year's cricket World Cup, replacing former captain Moin Khan.

Sixty-year-old Cheema, a retired brigadier who also held the manager's post from 2011 to 2013, is currently serving as chief secretary of Punjab province.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Moin had to step aside as he also held the post of chief selector and such a dual role was not allowed.

Moin would “stay on as chief selector as part of the squad for the ICC World Cup 2015”, the PCB said in a press release.

Cheema would also serve as team manager for two one-day internationals in New Zealand on January 31 and February 3, held ahead of the World Cup running from February 14 to March 29 in Australia and New Zealand.

PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan praised Moin's services and greeted his decision to continue as chief selector.

Moin said he accepted that he could not stay on in two positions.

“My priority is to select a team that has the capability to win the ICC World Cup 2015,” he said.