Pakistan U-19 Team Mistaken for Asylum Seekers in UK
News Desk
Portsmouth: Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team was caught in an unusual situation in the UK city of Portsmouth after a group of protesters reportedly mistook the young players for asylum seekers.
The incident occurred on Tuesday evening outside the Marriott Hotel, where the Pakistan Under-19 team is staying during its England tour.
Around 30 to 40 people gathered outside the hotel following a rumour circulating on social media that foreign nationals had arrived at the location by coach. Police were called shortly before 6:30pm to deal with the gathering.
When officers arrived, they discovered that the people being protested against were actually members of the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team.
Reform councillor George Madgwick contacted the hotel and spoke with the Pakistani team’s coach to establish what had happened. He then approached the protesters and explained that they had mistaken the cricketers for asylum seekers.
Madgwick told The Guardian that he informed the protesters that the group was a cricket team and that they left the area within minutes, describing the incident as “very unfortunate.”
The incident reportedly began after a photograph showing people getting off a coach was shared online. Without verifying the identity of those pictured, some social media users assumed that asylum seekers had arrived.
Speaking to the BBC, Madgwick said the incident appeared to have been triggered by speculation after someone posted a photograph of foreign-looking people getting off a coach.
Hampshire Police said officers spoke to the protesters and explained that their concerns were based on a misunderstanding. Police said no crime had been identified and the group left the area shortly before 9pm.
Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin expressed concern over the incident, saying it was unacceptable for young cricketers to be targeted because of misinformation.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has also contacted officials regarding the wellbeing of the Pakistan Under-19 team and reviewed security arrangements for the remainder of the tour.
The Pakistan Under-19 side is currently touring England. The team recently lost a four-day match against England Under-19 by 10 runs at Arundel but responded with a strong performance in the Youth One-Day International, defeating England by 177 runs on September 9.
