Protesters surrounded Pakistani cricketers in England, mistaking them for asylum seekers

Pakistan cricketers in England are not doing well! The Pakistan national team has already lost two Tests against England, and is under pressure in the final Test of the series at Edgbaston. Along with this, there are various controversies off the field. Now, news has come to light that the Pakistan Under-19 team, which is touring England, is in an embarrassing situation.

Last Tuesday, some protesters surrounded the young Pakistani cricketers, mistaking them for asylum seekers in England. The incident took place in Portsmouth, England. The incident began around the Marriott Hotel in Portsmouth. After news spread that asylum seekers were staying there, a group of protesters gathered outside the hotel. In fact, the cricketers and staff of the Pakistan Under-19 team were staying in that hotel.

According to a report by the British media outlet Guardian, the situation became heated after about 40 men went to the hotel. The protesters suspected that they were asylum seekers after seeing them. It was later revealed that the men were players and staff of the Pakistan Under-19 team. England's Reform Party councillor George Madwick stepped in to defuse the situation. He tried to mediate between the Pakistan Under-19 team staff and the protesters gathered outside the hotel. The protesters then gradually moved away. Madwick told the Guardian, "I spoke to the team coach. He understood the situation very well. Then I said to the protesters, 'You're making a mistake. This is a cricket team.' They left within a few minutes. It was very unfortunate." Madwick added, "The people of Portsmouth were already on high alert. There were reports that about 40 foreigners were coming there in a coach from the same company." There was also a clash on Sunday over this. That day, asylum seekers arrived in Portsmouth in a small boat from France and clashed with police.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has contacted the Pakistan management after such an incident with Pakistan's youth cricketers. They are also reviewing the team's security arrangements.

Pakistan's Under-19 team has already played a four-day match on its tour of England. Pakistan lost to England Under-19 in that match by 10 runs in Arundel.

Then yesterday, the two teams faced each other in the Youth ODI. However, Pakistan made a great comeback there. They defeated England by 177 runs. There are three more Youth ODIs left in the series.

-Prothom Alo, Bangladesh