the Pakistan tour a resounding success, saying that Bermuda was "very privileged to have a leading Test team come to the Island''.

Pakistan won two matches against the Bermuda national team, by five wickets at St. David's on Saturday and by 139 runs at Somerset Cricket Club on Sunday after posting a monstrous 374 for seven.

Bailey said that the visitors felt quite relaxed and comfortable here after a demoralising tour of the West Indies -- a tribute to Bermudian hospitality -- and that they were leaving with added respect for the country as a cricketing nation.

Just the ability to get such a squad to visit was an accomplishment in itself according to Bailey and he expressed the seriousness of the BCBC's efforts to improve the quality of the sport locally.

"The performance of the players on the two days was highly commented upon by the Pakistanis, as were the wickets, the quality of the umpiring and the friendliness and support lent by the general public,'' said Bailey. "They have also indicated some of our defects and what avenues we should take to improve our cricket.

"What it comes down to is that the amount of top class cricket we can expose our youngsters to can only aid in our overall development.

"It was a risky venture (financially) for the board, but this tour takes us one step further heading toward the ICC (tournament) and gives our players confidence, having played against some of the world's best.'' Bailey was particularly heartened by reports from the visitors, who rated Bermuda as being equal in ability to Holland -- the only other ICC Associate Member Pakistan has encountered recently -- which is rated one of the favourites at next year's tournament in Kenya.

While he -- and several others -- would have liked to have had captain Wasim Akram and vice-skipper Waqar Younis available for the tour, Bailey said he could not accurately say whether this would have significantly altered the course of events.

"You have to be thankful for small mercies,'' said Bailey. "If we didn't have them (Pakistan) here at all we wouldn't be able to judge ourselves against the world's best.

"It was desirable to have Waqar and Akram, but understandable that they had prior commitments.

"The concept was to expose our players to those playing at the Test level.'' When asked which area of Bermuda's game he thought may have fallen down over the two days, Bailey refused to be overly critical saying: "I never have over expectations...if we put up a respectable performance and give 100 percent I'm happy.'' He did however say that if the coaching could work more to improve the bowling it would "patch up one of the gaps''.

Bailey now looks forward to the West Indies `A' team's arrival on June 17 for a six-match tour.

There is hope that 23-year-old batting sensation Brian Lara will captain the West Indians, although the final squad has yet to be released.

PUT IT THERE -- Allan Douglas shares a `high-five' with one of his Cleveland County faithful on reaching a dashing half-century for Bermuda on Sunday as a makeshift opener.