Pakistan's first match on Bermuda soil was long awaited and left a big crowd at Lord's satisfied after the world one-day champions emerged with a five-wicket win.

Bermuda were on even par for long periods but the gap between world class and first class was clear to be seen when Pakistan set on their chase for what was a competitive one-day score.

Pakistan's front-line batsmen showed their class by amassing 105 off the first 20 overs and from there they coasted. Number three Zahid Fazal top-scored with 66 while openers Shakeel Ahmed (57) and acting skipper Rameez Raja (54) weighed in with fine half-centuries.

But before both hit full stride they were let off when firm return shots went from hand to ground.

Opening bowler Terry Burgess got two hands to a drive from Shakeel and medium-pacer Noel Gibbons failed to hold on to a searing shot from Rameez.

The timing of Shakeel and Rameez's drives off the front foot was impeccable and they punished the Bermuda bowlers early and often for over-pitching. The score was 29 after only five overs, young Diallo Sharrieff sharing the new ball with Burgess.

The introduction of spinner Arnold Manders and medium-pacers Gibbons and skipper Clevie Wade did much to halt the excessive flow.

But Shakeel and Rameez, though contained somewhat, kept the scoreboard ticking. Rameez was first out, at 103, bowled by Gibbons after hitting eight fours and two sixes.

Shakeel followed 20 runs later giving an edge to wicket-keeper Allan Douglas while cutting at Wade. Shakeel hit eight fours and one six.

This brought Fazal and Basit Ali, a sensational find during the Caribbean tour, together for the third wicket.

But the resolute youngster would produce no magic on this leg of the tour as he lasted only three balls before he was caught behind off Wade for two.

Bermuda had to fancy their chances with Pakistan at 129 for three with 23 overs left.

But Fazal elevated his game and dominated stands of 50 with Inzamam-ul Haq (13) and 27 with Moin Khan before he was fifth out at 203 with the game all but won. Fazal struck seven fours and a six.

Moin showed some deft touches on his way to an unbeaten 32, which included three fours while Asif Mujtaba was not out on eight as Pakistan won with five overs to spare.

Wade was the top Bermuda bowler with two for 42 while Manders finished with two for 62 and Gibbons one for 46, all from 10 overs.

Once the crowd had fully digested the fact that Pakistan's superstars Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis were no-shows, Bermuda were off to a good start after being sent in.

Manders treated Fazal with disdain whenever he pitched short, smashing him for a six and two fours as he and Dexter Smith had 28 off the first six overs.

Fazal shared the new ball with Aamir Nazir because Pakistan's injury bug had extended to fast-medium Ata-ur-Rehman, who badly hurt his hip just before arrival.

Manders had sailed along to 23 from 39 balls before dragging a delivery from left-arm leg-spinner Mujtaba onto his stumps in the 13th over.

Smith, who had had a life before reaching double figures, grafted his way to 29 before being given out caught behind off the third ball of off-spinner Basit Ali's first over. Smith hit three fours.

With the score 75 for two, Stevie Lightbourne joined Charlie Marshall at the wicket and proceeded on a hitting binge that had the crowd on edge and the Pakistanis on their heels.

Lightbourne blasted a 31-ball 44 that included four sixes and two fours. His biggest victim was Basit Ali who surrendered 20 runs in one over.

He and Marshall had put on 56 runs in a half-hour but it all ended too quickly for Bermuda as the big right-hander went to the well once too often and was caught in the deep by Shakeel off Nadeem Khan.

Bermuda's progress floundered from here as Marshall continued to play himself in while young Glenn Smith suffered through a spell of timing difficulties.

The pair added only 35 in 11 overs (32nd to 42nd) when Bermuda were looking to build excessively on a solid foundation. Marshall fell at 166, one short of a deserved half-century, having hit five fours and a six.

Two sixes and two fours gave Smith added confidence but on 23 he was bowled by Nadeem to make the score 203 for five.

Noel Gibbons added 23 as the side slipped from 223 for five to their final tally, which in the end proved at least 30 runs too little.

CHARLIE MARSHALL -- During his knock of 49 on Saturday.