Top News

London, 10 September 2026: A sudden incident happened outside the field with Pakistan Under-19 cricket team in Portsmouth, England, which shocked everyone. The group which saw people gathering outside the hotel to protest was actually not a group of refugees but the Pakistan Under-19 cricket team. When the police and local councilors reached the spot and found out the true facts, the protesters realized their mistake and the crowd walked away peacefully.

This entire incident took place outside the Marriott Hotel in Portsmouth, where the Pakistan Under-19 team is staying. After the rumor of a group of foreign nationals getting off the bus went viral on social media, approximately 30 to 40 people had gathered outside the hotel. Ultimately the police were also called in this matter. When the police officers investigated, they came to know that the people who were being protested considering them to be refugees, were actually the Pakistani cricket team.

Reform Party councilors played an important role in settling this matter. He had talked to the hotel administration and the coach of the Pakistani team. Then, while explaining to the protesters who had gathered outside, he said, “You people have made a big mistake, these are not refugees but a cricket club team.” The protesters left the place within a few minutes.

According to the report, this misunderstanding started with an online picture. There was speculation by sharing the picture of some people getting off the bus, although there was no official confirmation of it. Hampshire Police also clarified that the protesters' concerns were based only on misunderstanding and the crowd dispersed before 9 pm.

• Security review by the ECB

After this incident, Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin said that there can be a legal discussion about migration, but it should be based on accurate facts, not false rumours. After the incident, the England and Wales Cricket Board has taken charge of the security of the Pakistani Under-19 team and has started a review to tighten security arrangements for the rest of the tour.

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan Under-19 team is currently on tour to England, where it played a four-day match at Arundel and then achieved a spectacular victory in the Youth One-Day Match played on September 9.