Pakistan U19 side mistaken as asylum seekers in England

Anti-immigration authorities in southern England made a massive gathering outside the hotel where the U-19 side of the Pakistan cricket team was staying, and they were mistaken for asylum seekers, as the British media reported. The incident took place in Portsmouth.

Immigration and the arrival of thousands of asylum seekers on small boats from mainland Europe have become a toxic issue in Britain, as it has sparked protests in recent years. The incident came after reports went online about a coach with Young Asian men being seen at a Marriott Hotel.

What actually happened — Pakistan U19 players caught up in mistaken identity incident

A councillor from the party went to the scene and helped the crowd after confirming the men were in fact members of their teenage cricket team, as the reports have revealed. The senior Pakistan men’s side is involved in the third Test against England at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

“Officers subsequently attended and spoke to members of the public who had gathered and were expressing concerns about a coach that had been seen in the area. The officers explained that their concerns were not correct," The spokesperson revealed, without confirming the Pakistani cricketers were the mistaken target.

The national organiser from the Stand Up to Racism organisation condemned the incident as it showed where the scapegoating of refugees and migrants could lead.

“When a Pakistan U-19 team is faced with 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. It's obvious where all this is going to end -- racist attacks and more violence.” He addressed.

Pakistan's U19 and senior sides in England — A look at their recent form

Pakistan’s U19 side recently featured in the Youth Test against England’s U19 side. The home side posted a massive score of 333 runs, thanks to the opening batter Bertie Michael’s superb knock of 133 runs off 235 balls at a strike rate of 55.74, while Ralphie Albert drilled 88 runs.

For the visiting side, both Abdul Qadir and Hasnain Abbas Dar celebrated their respective half-centuries with the bat in the first innings. They were bundled out for 305 runs and fell behind by 28 runs. In the end, the hosts claimed the win by 10 runs.

England’s senior side, meanwhile, led Pakistan by a margin of 2-0, thanks to the wins at Leeds and Lord’s. They are also in a strong position to end the series on a high against the Babar Azam-led side at Edgbaston during the third Test.