Rameez says Pak 'still favourites' to win CT despite 'disappointing' loss to Windies

Former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja has said that Pakistan is still a favourite to win the ICC Champions Trophy, despite a disappointing performance in the tournament opener against West Indies.

Despite intensive preparations focused on improving Pakistan's batting performance, the team's loss against the Caribbean on Friday means that they now face an uphill task to qualify for the semi-finals, the Express Tribune reports.

However, Raja felt that there is still a chance for Pakistan, saying that he felt that that there was a mental block in the Pakistan batsmen, given that they did not play their natural game, which made it easier for the West Indies.

Raja however, further added that the batsmen needed to improve their performance as the bowlers cannot win a game on their own.

Meanwhile, another former captain Wasim Akram blamed Pakistan's 'faulty' strategy, saying that the top-order needs to learn when to play shots and when to leave the ball, adding that it is impossible to hit drives in England while the ball is new.

According to Akram, instead of attacking West Indian spinner Sunile Narine, who was his team's only strike bowler, Pakistan should have respected him and targeted other bowlers for runs.

Pakistan face South Africa in their next match on June 10, the report added.