Pakistan cricket team mistaken for asylum seekers during Portsmouth protest

Pakistan’s under-19 cricket team found themselves at the center of an anti-migrant protest in Portsmouth after protesters mistakenly believed the young cricketers were asylum seekers. The bizarre commotion took place outside the Marriott Hotel where the Pakistani side was staying.

About 30 to 40 people gathered outside the hotel on Tuesday evening after rumors spread online that a group of foreign nationals had arrived by bus. Police were called to the scene shortly before 6:30 p.m., and officers later discovered that the group in question was actually the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team.

Reform councilor George Madgwick helped clear up the confusion after contacting the hotel and speaking to the coach of the Pakistan team. He then approached the protesters and explained that they had been given the wrong group.

“I spoke to the team coach who was very understanding,” Madgwick told the Guardian.

“I went out to the protesters and said, ‘You’ve got it wrong guys, it’s a cricket club.’ They left within minutes. It was an extremely unfortunate event.”

HOW MIX-UP STARTED

The confusion reportedly started after a photo of people getting off the bus was shared online. Assumptions about the identity of the arrivals quickly followed, although it was not confirmed that they were asylum seekers.

Madgwick later said the situation was driven by speculation rather than fact and acknowledged the incident was an unfortunate reflection on Portsmouth.

“Someone online saw a group of people who looked like foreign nationals leaving the coach and put it on the internet and it took off from there,” he told the BBC. “It was speculation rather than based on truth or fact.

Hampshire Constabulary confirmed that officers had spoken to the protesters and explained that their concerns were unfounded. No violations were found and the crowd left shortly before 9:00 p.m.

CRICKETERS CATCH ON CROSSOVERS

The incident drew criticism from Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin, who said it was unacceptable that misinformation had led to young cricketers being wrongly targeted.

“There needs to be a legitimate debate about immigration, but it needs to be based on facts, not misinformation or rumours,” Martin said.

The England and Wales Cricket Board has since checked the welfare of the Pakistan Under-19 team and is reviewing security arrangements for the remainder of their tour.

While the senior side is struggling with England at Test levelthe under-19 team continues its own tour. Pakistan lost a four-day match against England Under-19s by 10 runs at Arundel before replying by 177 runs in the Youth ODI on 9 September.

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Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

10 Sep 2026 09:58 IST