Former captain Wasim Akram has blasted Pakistan for the inexplicable decision to field first in their game against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan lost by 64 runs to Sri Lanka in their first match of the Super Fours stage in the STAR Cricket Asia Cup on Sunday after they won the toss and put the visitors in to bat.

"I could not understand Pakistan's strategy. Everyone is electing to bat first on this wicket. Once you have runs on the board, you can defend it. Just because India chased a total of 300 does not mean that in the next match you should field first," he told Mobile ESPN.

Akram said even though the weather was cloudy, the wicket was flat and that should have prompted the hosts to bat first.

"Even after (Sanath) Jayasuriya was out early, the Lankans managed to score 302. And that is a huge ask. Muttiah Muralitharan, Chaminda Vaas are good bowlers and some of the youngsters are very talented. To take eight runs off Murali and Vaas's final overs is next to impossible in 50-over games," Akram added.

The former pacer was also critical of Pakistan's "slow" strategy while chasing. "That strategy worked in the earlier game, but the same strategy will not work while chasing 300."

Akram was also cross with Afridi, who tried to hit the ball out of the park on the first delivery he faced, but only managed to find Jayasuriya.

"Afridi again tried to hit a shot off the first ball. He was never a pure batsman. When a batsman's form dips, he returns to the basics. Afridi is now in the team for his bowling and if he can't do that well in the next couple of matches, then the selectors might have to drop him," Akram reckoned.

The cricketer-turned commentator said that anything could happen in cricket, "but right now it looks literally impossible for Pakistan to reach the Asia Cup".

Cricket expert Harsha Bhogle too found it difficult to believe Shoiab Malik's decision to field first.

"Malik's decision was inexplicable. The decision back-fired because of Sangakkara's outstanding innings. He played some delectable cricket shots and it was a treat to watch him play," Bhogle told Mobile ESPN.

"Apart from Younus Khan, the innings went into a tailspin. Misbah-ul-Haq also did an admirable job, but the one man who could have made the difference was Shahid Afridi. He went for a shot on the first ball and hold out to Jayasuriya," he said adding that Pakistan's hoped of qualifying for the final "now hang on a very slim thread".