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Muhammad Naveed Akram (Urdu: نوید اکرم; born May 16, 1984) is a Pakistani former professional footballer who played as a right-back.
Club career
WAPDA
Akram won three Pakistan Premier League titles with WAPDA during his stint from 2003 until 2014 in the 2004–05, 2007–08, 2008–09 and 2010–11 seasons.
He was part of the Lahore Lajpaal team that lost in the semi-finals of Geo Super Football League.
Loan to Saraswoti Youth Club
In 2011, Akram along with club compatriot Mehmood Ali were loaned to Nepali club Saraswoti Youth Club from May to July for the 2011 Martyr's Memorial A-Division League campaign. Both made their debut for the club in 21 May 2011, following a 0–2 loss against Brigade Boys Club at the Dasarath Rangsala Stadium. One month on, the duo helped the club win two games and reach the team target to climb out of the relegation zone.
Lyallpur
Akram had a short stint at Lyallpur in 2014, before his eventual retirement.
International career
Akram was called by the Pakistan under-23 national team for the 2004 and 2006 South Asian Games, where he helped Pakistan win the gold medal.
He made his senior debut with Pakistan on 12 June 2005 which was the first game in a series of three games against India, the game finished 1–1 draw to Pakistan He was subsequently called for the 2005 SAFF Gold Cup. He scored his first goal on 15 November 2006 in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification, in the eventual 2–3 loss against UAE. He also featured at the 2006 Asian Games, where he scored a long range goal in the eventual 2–3 loss against Japan.
Playing style
Naveed plays as an attacking right back on the pitch, and always tends to assist in the attacking plays as well as having a knack of scoring goals himself.
He is most known for his memorable long range goal in the 2006 Asian Games, when Pakistan came close to a huge upset against Japan.
Post-retirement
On 29 March 2021, Akram was appointed as secretary general of the Pakistan Football Federation, following a controversial takeover by Syed Ashfaq Hussain Shah, which eventually leaded to a ban by FIFA on the federation.
Career statistics
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 2005 | 6 | 0 |
| 2006 | 8 | 1 | |
| 2007 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2008 | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 18 | 1 | |
International goals
U-23
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 29, 2006 | Qatar SC Stadium, Doha, Qatar |  Japan | 2–3 | 2–3 | 2006 Asian Games |
Senior
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 15, 2007 | Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE |  United Arab Emirates | 1–0 | 2–3 | 2007 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
Honours
Club
WAPDA
- National Championship/Pakistan Premier League: 2003, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11
International
Pakistan U23
- South Asian Games: 2004, 2006