Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team soon found itself at the centre of an unusual incident in the UK after anti-immigration protesters mistakenly believed the young cricketers were asylum seekers.
The incident took place outside the Marriott Hotel in Portsmouth, where the Pakistan U19 team is staying during its ongoing tour of England.
A group of about 30 to 50 protesters gathered outside the hotel after reports circulated online that a group of young Asian men had arrived at the property. The reports led some people to believe that asylum seekers had been taken to the hotel.
The situation was cleared up when local councillor George Madgwick spoke with hotel staff and the Pakistan team coach. He was shown proof that the people staying at the hotel were members of the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team.
Protesters left after learning the truth.
The incident took place amid mounting tension around immigration in Portsmouth.
Just a few days ago, anti-immigration protesters had gathered in the city on the streets after asylum seekers arrived by small boats. Clashes erupted with police and attracted much attention.
For all these reasons, the arrival of a group of foreign-looking men at the Marriott Hotel quickly raised suspicion on the part of some residents, to say the least.
According to reports, the Pakistan U19 team had arrived at the hotel in a coach operated by the same company that had also transported asylum seekers. This seems to have added to the confusion.
Madgwick, whose ward includes the hotel, was contacted by residents and went to the property to find out what was happening.
After speaking to the hotel manager and the team’s coach, he confirmed that the group was Pakistani cricketers.
Then he went outside and spoke to the protesters about what was happening.
The crowd left soon after being told that the people in the hotel were members of a visiting cricket team. There was no confrontation between protesters and the players, sources said.
Hampshire Police also confirmed that officers had been called after a group of people started gathering near the hotel.
Police said that people in the area had been concerned about a coach seen in the area. They spoke to the crowd and explained to them that their concerns were not correct. About 30 people dispersed soon after, and police said no offences were identified.
Pakistan team's UK Tour continues
The incident has indeed caused concerns about the safety of visiting Pakistan players.
The England and Wales Cricket Board has contacted the Pakistan Cricket Board to check on the team's wellbeing. Security arrangements for the remainder of the Pakistan U19 tour are also being reviewed.
The Pakistan Under-19 side is currently in England for a series against England Under-19.
The two sides have played a four-day test match recently, which England won by 10 runs. During the tour, the two teams will also play one-day matches, including a match at Arundel and another in Guildford.
The young Pakistani players found it an unexpected distraction during a big overseas tour.
The episode has also opened a wider debate about immigration in parts of the UK. Michael Bradley, a national organiser of Stand Up To Racism, condemned the incident and said it illustrated the dangers of people being targeted based on assumptions about their appearance or background.
And finally, it was resolved peacefully after the misunderstanding was cleared up.
Pakistan U-19 players and officials were reportedly mistaken for asylum seekers by masked protesters in Portsmouth as they arrived at their hotel. The incident occurred when the team reached the hotel. pic.twitter.com/ow0ZhB0Bbd
— Pazi. (@CallMePazi1_) September 10, 2026
What started as reports of asylum seekers staying in a Portsmouth hotel turned out to be a group of teenage cricketers from Pakistan who were in the UK for a sporting tour.
The incident is a reminder of how quickly misinformation can spread, especially when tension is already high. In this case, the confusion was cleared in minutes, but the fact that a visiting cricket team became the target of an anti-immigration protest has raised concerns about the safety and experience of international teams travelling in the UK.
The Pakistan U19 team will now look to put the unusual incident behind them and focus on the rest of their England tour.
