Pakistan Under-19 Cricket Team Mistaken for Asylum Seekers Outside UK Hotel
Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail
Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team was briefly caught up in an unusual incident in Portsmouth, England, after a group of protesters mistakenly believed the young cricketers staying at a local hotel were asylum seekers.
According to reports, around 40 protesters gathered outside the four-star Marriott hotel after seeing a group of foreign visitors arrive by coach. The Pakistan Under-19 team is currently in England for a cricket tour and was using the hotel as its base.
Protesters Given Clarification
Reform councillor George Madgwick, whose ward includes the hotel, was called to the scene following the gathering.
Madgwick said the hotel management informed him that the guests were members of Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team. He subsequently spoke with the team’s coach and was shown documentation confirming their identity as cricketers.
He then approached the protesters and explained that the group staying at the hotel was a visiting cricket team rather than asylum seekers.
The protesters left the area shortly afterwards.
Confusion Linked to Coach Company
Madgwick said the misunderstanding appeared to have started after local residents noticed around 40 men arriving at the hotel who were not English.
He explained that the coach transporting the Pakistan team had reportedly been operated by the same company that had previously been used to transport asylum seekers arriving in Portsmouth.
The councillor acknowledged that the situation reflected the heightened sensitivity surrounding migration issues in the city, while also saying that a crowd gathering outside a hotel based on assumptions about its guests was unfortunate.
Tensions Rise Over Migration in Portsmouth
The incident occurred amid increased tensions in Portsmouth over the arrival of asylum seekers by small boats from France.
Earlier in the week, clashes between protesters and police were reported in the city after a small boat carrying asylum seekers reached the coastline. Police were investigating allegations of assaults and criminal damage connected with the unrest.
Similar protests were also reported around the port of Dover, where groups gathered and disrupted roads.
Following the hotel incident, Madgwick posted on Facebook asking people to stay away from the Marriott and clarified that reports suggesting migrants were staying at the hotel were incorrect. The post was later made private after attracting abusive comments.
ECB Reviews Security Arrangements
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after learning about the incident to check on the players’ welfare.
Security arrangements for the remainder of Pakistan Under-19’s tour are also being reviewed.
The young Pakistani players have continued their cricket commitments in England despite the incident.
Pakistan Under-19 Bounce Back in ODI Series
Pakistan Under-19 recently lost a four-day match against England Under-19 by 10 runs.
The team responded strongly in the opening match of the Youth ODI series, securing a 177-run victory on Wednesday.
Pakistan scored 332-9 before dismissing England for 155, taking a 1-0 lead in the four-match ODI series.
The second Youth ODI is scheduled to be played at Woodbridge Road in Guildford on Saturday, as Pakistan continue their tour of England.
