Pakistan’s U-19 cricket team became the unexpected target of an anti-immigration protest in southern England after demonstrators mistook the players for asylum seekers.
The incident happened Tuesday evening outside a hotel in Cosham, a northern suburb of Portsmouth. Around 30 protesters gathered after seeing a coach carrying young Asian men near the hotel.
However, the men were members of Pakistan’s teenage cricket squad staying at the venue.
Protesters Mistake Pakistan Cricket Team for Migrants
Online reports about the coach reportedly prompted the protesters to gather outside the hotel.
A councillor from anti-immigration party Reform UK later arrived at the scene. After confirming the group’s identity, the councillor helped disperse the crowd.
Meanwhile, Hampshire Police confirmed that officers responded after a group began gathering near the hotel.
“Officers subsequently attended and spoke to members of the public that had gathered who were expressing concerns about a coach that had been seen in the area,” a police spokesman said.
Police then explained that the protesters’ concerns were incorrect. Shortly afterwards, the group left the area.
Authorities said they identified no offences during the incident.
Incident Comes Amid UK Migration Tensions
The incident occurred just two days after protesters disrupted the arrival of migrants near Portsmouth.
Britain has faced growing political tensions over immigration and asylum seekers arriving in small boats from mainland Europe.
Consequently, several anti-immigration demonstrations have taken place across the country in recent years. Some protests have also turned violent.
The latest incident has renewed concerns about the treatment of Asian and other minority communities amid the ongoing immigration debate.
Rights Group Condemns Protest
Michael Bradley, a national organiser with Stand Up To Racism, strongly criticised the incident.
He said the situation showed “where the scapegoating of refugees and migrants can lead”.
“When a Pakistan U-19’s team is faced by protests because it ‘might’ in fact be a group of migrants it means that effectively any group of black or Asian people coming into the city are being seen by the far right as a potential target,” he said.
“It’s obvious where all this is going to end — racist attacks and more violence.”
Pakistan Team Continues UK Cricket Activities
The incident involved Pakistan’s U-19 squad, while the senior Pakistan men’s team is currently playing England in the third Test at Birmingham’s Edgbaston ground.
Fortunately, the Portsmouth gathering ended without any reported offences.
Nevertheless, the episode highlights how quickly misinformation and assumptions can trigger public confrontation. It has also drawn renewed attention to the wider debate over immigration and racism in Britain.
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