Silverwood: We weren’t on our game

ENGLAND coach Chris Silverwood was critical of his bowlers after a wayward display allowed Pakistan to close a rain-shortened first day of the first Test in Manchester on 139 for two. Opener Shan Masood — who averaged just 17 when Pakistan toured England in 2016 — and star batsman Babar Azam took advantage of some insipid fare after lunch, adding 68 at more than four an over as the mood of the day changed completely. ‘We bowled too many four-balls and gave the momentum back to Pakistan,’ said Silverwood. ‘The standards we’ve set ourselves weren’t there. ‘The challenge, if it happens again, is how can we wrestle momentum back more quickly? I’d like to see a repeat of how we bowled against West Indies, and make life hard for the batsmen. ‘We know we’re up against some very good batsmen, and if we’re not at the top of our game, they will take it away from us. It’s a timely reminder.’ Meanwhile Wasim Khan, the chief executive of the Pakistan Cricket Board, has urged England to visit his country before they are due to go there in 2022, as per the ICC’s Future Tours Programme. PCB chairman Ehsan Mani told

Sportsmail recently he was hopeful England would agree to come to Pakistan for the first time since late 2005, and Khan told Sky Sports: ‘We’d love to have them over well before 2022 for a shorter tour. ‘It’s something that we’ll speak to the ECB about. There’s a lot of cricket still to play, but we’re hoping in the near future England will definitely come.’ Asked whether that was a possibility, Silverwood said: ‘I think we are getting there. Personally, I’d have no problem with it.’