London (Sports Desk) — People gathered for an anti-immigration protest in Portsmouth, UK, were left surprised when they discovered that those they had mistaken for asylum seekers were actually members of Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team and staff.
The incident took place outside a Marriott hotel in Portsmouth, where Pakistan’s young cricket team is staying during its tour of England.
According to reports, rumors were circulating on social media that migrants were being transported by bus to the hotel and accommodated there, after which around 40 to 50 people gathered outside the hotel. Some protesters had also covered their faces.
The situation emerged at a time when Portsmouth had witnessed protests and tensions a few days earlier over asylum seekers arriving via the English Channel.
Reform UK councillor George Medgwick also arrived at the scene and asked the hotel management about the situation. The management told him that the people staying at the hotel were members of Pakistan’s Under-19 cricket team and staff.
Later, the team’s coach also met the councillor and presented evidence confirming the identities of the players and staff, clarifying the situation.