Pakistan U19 Cricketers Mistaken for Asylum Seekers During UK Anti-Migrant Protest

Pakistan's Under-19 cricket team became the centre of an unusual incident in England after anti-migrant protesters mistakenly identified the young cricketers as asylum seekers staying at their hotel in Portsmouth.

A group of masked protesters gathered outside the Marriott hotel on Tuesday night after reports circulated that asylum seekers had been brought to the four-star property. The group was actually the Pakistan U19 squad, which is touring England and using the hotel as its base.

The situation was clarified after Reform UK county councillor George Madgwick was called to the scene. He spoke to the hotel management and Pakistan's team coach, who provided confirmation that the guests were members of the visiting cricket team. The protesters subsequently left.

The incident occurred amid heightened tensions in Portsmouth following anti-migrant demonstrations earlier in the week. British media reported that hundreds of protesters had clashed with police after a boat carrying asylum seekers arrived in the city.

Pakistan Cricket Board chief operating officer Sumair Syed told the BBC that members of the team reported people "knocking on their doors" during the incident. He added that the players "behaved responsibly and didn't escalate the situation".

Syed described the episode as "unfortunate" and said the England and Wales Cricket Board had "assured us that every possible measure should be taken for the security of the escort".

"This is the responsibility of the whole sport to ensure the safety, security and wellbeing of the visiting team," he said. "They are on it, and we are hopeful that nothing of such sort will happen in the future."

The ECB has contacted the PCB and confirmed it is reviewing security arrangements for the remainder of Pakistan's tour. Despite the incident, the team continued its scheduled match the following day and secured a 177-run victory.