There was rain in that ground days before the match, not just Sarfraz, even Kohli wanted to bowl first. The problem isn't bowling first, the problem is not taking early wickets, they had a chance to run Rohit out but they didn't and were punished.And could have happened again in this WC if stupid Sarfraz didn't bowl first on phattha track.
The whole "they should have bat first" feedback everyone is saying is ridiculous. Look at 1999 World cup final in London, Pak won toss and bat first, it was raining for days before that match too, similar situation, but what happened then, Pak got bowled out in 132 runs in that final.