‘It’s A Cricket Club’: UK Protesters Mistake Pakistan U19 Team For Asylum Seekers

A group of masked anti-immigration protesters outside a hotel in Portsmouth mistakenly identified the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team as asylum seekers, leading to an unusual confrontation during the squad’s tour of England.

The incident took place outside the four-star hotel where the Pakistan U19 team was staying and came days after clashes between protesters and police in Portsmouth following the arrival of asylum seekers by boat from France.

Protesters Gather Outside Portsmouth Hotel

According to a report by The Guardian, the protesters gathered outside the hotel after receiving reports that around 40 men who did not appear to be English had been taken there.

The group reportedly linked the situation to the arrival of asylum seekers because the coach used to transport the cricket team belonged to the same company that had transported asylum seekers who had arrived in the UK by boat.

George Madgwick, a Reform councillor who was called to the hotel to help mediate, described the incident as a “massively unfortunate incident”.

‘You’ve Got It Wrong Guys’

The situation was brought under control after Madgwick spoke to the hotel manager and learned that the men staying there were members of the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team, who were touring the south coast and using the hotel as their base.

Madgwick also spoke to the team’s coach before addressing the protesters.

“I went out to the protesters and told them, ‘You’ve got it wrong guys, it’s a cricket club.’ They left within a couple of minutes,” he was quoted as saying.

ECB Reviews Security Arrangements

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has since contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to check on the wellbeing of the touring squad.

The ECB is also reviewing security arrangements for the remainder of Pakistan’s tour of England following the incident.

The episode came after hundreds of people, many wearing balaclavas, clashed with police in Portsmouth on Sunday evening following the arrival of a small boat carrying asylum seekers from France.

Pakistan U19 Continue England Tour

The Pakistan Under-19 team recently played England Under-19s in a four-day Test, losing the match by 10 runs.

The two teams are scheduled to meet again in a one-day match at Arundel on Wednesday, followed by another one-day game in Guildford on Saturday.

The Portsmouth incident has added a security concern to the remainder of Pakistan’s multi-format tour, with cricket authorities now reviewing arrangements for the visiting squad.