While the senior Pakistan cricket team continues to make headlines for their poor performances on the field, their under-19 squad has now faced a bizarre and embarrassing ordeal in England. The Pakistan under-19 team is currently touring England to play a youth Test match and a series of four youth one-day internationals. The youth Test match was conducted from September 2 to September 5, followed by the opening youth ODI clash on September 9. Amidst this schedule, the young Pakistani players staying in Portsmouth were mistaken for refugees by locals, leading to a crowd of demonstrators gathering right outside their hotel. The gathering dispersed only after the factual situation was clarified to them.
Why the Crowd Gathered Outside the Hotel
The Pakistan under-19 team stationed at a Marriott hotel in Portsmouth drew unwanted attention when locals received word that individuals who were not British citizens were staying at the premises. According to The Guardian, Reform Party councillor George Madgwick stepped in to bridge the communication gap between the Pakistan under-19 team staff and the gathered crowd, which ultimately led the protesters to leave. Madgwick explained that he spoke directly with the team coach and then provided the proper information to the demonstrators outside, after which they departed from the site.
ECB Reviews Security After the Portsmouth Incident
Following this unusual incident in Portsmouth, the England and Wales Cricket Board reached out to the Pakistan team management and is actively reviewing the security arrangements for the visiting squad. Looking at the on-field action during this tour, the Pakistani under-19 team suffered a narrow 10-run defeat in the youth Test match, but bounced back strongly to win the first youth ODI fixture by a massive margin of 177 runs. The team is now scheduled to play the next fixture of the series on September 12.
